The Panthers finished their season last Friday, against the North Little Rock Charging Wildcats. The Panthers started off the game on the right page getting an early lead 7-0. The scoring position was set up by the legendary trick play the “fumblerooski” by senior Running Back Isaiah Ogilvie. Senior Quarterback Jessie Windemaker was able to punch it in the endzone off a one yard Quarterback sneak putting the Panthers up early in the first quarter. The defense was on point as well as they held the Charging Wildcats to quick three and out and forced four turnovers on the night. Senior Safety Zhane Harper added another two interceptions to his name, breaking the Cabot Record for most interceptions in a season and tying the record for interceptions in a career at Cabot. Throughout the rest of the game, the Panthers could not stop the run game of the Charging Wildcats, forcing them to give up 34 unanswered points and losing 34-7.

The Panthers were not able to make the postseason, but the Panthers had some very high moments in the year and talented seniors that the team will miss dearly.

The Panthers ended the season with a 4-6 overall record, and a 2-5 in conference. The Panthers in the start of the year was predicted to play the 2 toughest schedule in the state of Arkansas behind North Little Rock. The team started off right by beating the number one and two teams in the 6-A back to back. In 3 games straight, the Panther’s games were close matchups as all three of the games were determined by 6 points or less.

Now that the season is over, that means that the senior class of this year has played their last game as a Cabot Panther Football player. The offense was led by senior Jessie Windemaker and the great group of Running Back featuring TJ Rogers, Bradley Morales, Wyatt McMahan, and Isaiah Ogilvie. At the end of the year Rogers was selected as an All-Conference Running Back for the 2018-19 All-Conference Team. Rogers finished with over 1,000 rushing yards and 18 total touchdowns for this season.

“It breaks my heart knowing that my high school career is over,” Rogers said. “I’m just glad that God has given me the potential to perform like I have these past few years and can’t wait to see what he has for me at in the future.”

The Defense was able to stay strong the whole year. Led by a talented group of seniors that include Dalton Crumbly, Justin Holland, Jack Dixon, and Zhane Harper. Harper was also selected for All-Conference, but was the only player on the team who was selected for the 2018-19 All-State Team. Harper was the leader in interceptions with 11 and was 2 in tackles with 101.

“My main goal this year was to become a leader by example and play my role on the team to the best of my ability,” Zhane Harper said. “I’m gonna miss all the experiences and times I’ve had with all the guys.”

Now that the seniors are done, younger players on both sides of the ball are going to have to step up. On the offensive end, juniors Tyler Gee and Graham Turner will hope to lead to team. Turner showed this year he can compete at this level highly and affected the team’s offense this year.

“I know my role on the team will be even bigger than it was this year,” Turner said. “It will be a long road, but I’m ready to take on the journey.”

As for the defense, juniors De’Kairo Rudolph and Kyle Mcintire are going to have to hold down the secondary as Hayden Matthews, Hunter Horka, and Preston Keahi set pressure to the opponent’s offense. Rudolph had 2 interceptions on the season and Matthews and Horka played a big role in the defensive line.

Congratulations to the Panthers this year and be prepared for this upcoming group to hit the field next year, especially with the new change in head coach after Hall of Fame Coach Malham announced his retirement before this season started.