Lake City football team picks right time to start winning
After losing first four games, Panthers are 2-1 in Region 7-AA
Lake City – The Lake City High School football team lost its first four games of the season. However, when it was time for the rubber to meet the road – Region 7-AA play – the Panthers have stepped up.
LCHS opened region play with a 2-1 record. It is one of six teams in the 7-team region with one loss. While Lake City hasn’t claimed one of the five spots for the region in the state playoffs, it is a victory away from doing so. That appeared a long way away just a short time ago.
Winning a region title is very much in the cards if the Panthers win out. They are 2-1 along with Kingstree and Mullins, while East Clarendon, Manning and Atlantic Collegiate Academy are all 1-1.
The region loss came to Kingstree by a 22-18 count.
“All of our goals are still in front of us, and it’s up to you as the players to make the decision how bad you want to achieve them,” head coach Jamison Estep said as to what his message to the team was heading into its 30-28 victory over Mullins on October 3. “They have been challenged to give complete focus and see how good this team really can be.”
Against Mullins, senior quarterback Amari Hanna passed for 166 yards and two touchdowns. LCHS opened its region schedule with a 20-14 triumph over East Clarendon, which was undefeated at 4-0. Hanna was the catalyst in that game as well, passing for 115 yards and a touchdown and rushing for 100 yards and the other two TDs.
Lake City plays host to ACA on October 10 before hitting the road for its final two region games. The Panthers play at winless Marion on October 17 and travel to defending region champion Manning on October 31.
Estep knows there is plenty of room for improvement for his squad.
“We have yet to play our best ball,” he said. “We have shown flashes throughout the season but are still looking to put a complete game together. Our offense needs to be more consistent, while the defense needs to continue to increase its physicality.
“As a whole we haven’t played up to the potential of this team. We knew the defense was going to take some time to gel with us playing a lot of inexperienced and/or young players. They have shown great improvement over the last (three) games, but still have a lot of room to grow.”
Inside linebacker Shayon Shavers is the leading tackler with 60 while linebacker A’Mon Chandler leads in tackles for loss with nine. Cornerback Shakeem Epps is the interceptions leader with three and Ziyre McFadden has two.
