Panthers looking for first win when they host Greeneview

The word turnover isn’t a favorite among any football coach, unless his team benefits from the exchange in possession.

It certainly wasn’t a favorite for Fairbanks head coach David Carroll after last week’s 30-20 loss at Madison Plains.

“We threw three interceptions and lost a couple of fumbles,” said Carroll after his team slipped to 0-3 for the season. “We moved the ball better than Madison Plains did, but those turnovers just killed our momentum.”

Carroll is hoping the Panthers can get rid of the turnover bug-a-boos when they host Greeneview this evening.

The Rams will operate a spread offense out of the shotgun. The primary weapon is junior quarterback Lucas Reynolds.

“He is a big, strong veteran quarterback,” said Carroll. “He has a strong throwing arm, but can also run the ball.”

Greeneview (2-1) will look to establish its running game between Reynolds and a quick running back in Jordan Stafford.

“Their running back is not very big, 5-9 and 160 pounds, but he is very fast,” said Carroll.

“We have to key on them (Reynolds and Stafford) wherever they go,” said the Panther coach.

The Panthers are working this week in practice in an effort to stop the Rams’ offense. However, they also must protect the football against Greeneview’s 3-4 defensive alignment.

“They will blitz their outside linebackers on a number of plays and their inside linebackers can also come hard,” said Carroll. “However, I think their best defensive players are in their secondary… they are all good athletes.”

Carroll said the Panthers must recognize and quickly adjust to the Rams’ defensive set-up.

“We have to be solid in our alignment against their defense,” he said.

Carroll and his coaching staff will also hammer home the point of protecting the football as if it is made of 14 carat gold.

The Panthers’ five turnovers last Friday led to three touchdowns for the Golden Eagles, he said.

Those turnovers were drive-killers, according to Carroll.

“You just can’t give up easy turnovers,” he said. “Those really shifted the momentum away from us.”

The Panther head coach also said this week’s game will come down who can control the line of scrimmage.

“We will need to be able to run the football and prevent Greeneview from establishing its running game in order for us to win,” said Carroll.