By David Stinchcomb
Intern EA News
Photo from Elmore County Panthers Facebook page.
During the 2021 football season, the Elmore County Panthers went 0-10 (0-6 in Region) and lost every game by double digits. Kyle Caldwell was then hired as the new head coach and athletic director after a chaotic 122-day search.
Fast forward to the fourth week of the football season, and the Panthers have already secured their best record since 2018. Although it is still early in the season, the turnaround is further ahead of schedule than anyone could have anticipated.
Last season, the offense was only able to put 186 points on the scoreboard through 10 games, while the defense allowed a team record 419 points. Through three games alone, the defense allowed 132 points. Through the first three games of this season, the offense has already scored 124 points and the defense has only allowed 38.
In their first three games last season, they lost all three by an average of 27.6 points per game, but this season the Panthers have won all three by an average of 28.6 points per game.
Their 48-21 victory over the Sylacauga Aggies also marked their first region victory since October 12, 2018 when they defeated the Childersburg Tigers 24-14. They had lost 18 straight region games until last Friday.
After going 4-26 in their last three seasons, Coach Caldwell and his team will look to eclipse that win total tonight. The game has been rescheduled for tonight, along with most other footballs games, due to threat of inclement weather Friday night.
Elmore County (3-0, 1-0 in Region) travels to the defending 5A Region 4 Champion Central Clay County Volunteers (1-1, 1-0 in Region) in an early season showdown with high stakes.
After a dominant start to the season, there is a strong feeling of optimism in Eclectic.
