EYES ON THE CHAMPIONSHIP
Despite SWAC additions Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman, Panthers’ veteran squad led by Connley brings high expectations
Are the Panthers good enough to win their division?
The pieces are in place for a run. In an abbreviated spring 2021 football season Prairie View went 2-1, losing in the finale against West Division rival Arkansas-Pine Bluff 36-31 after beating TSU 20-19 and Grambling State 17-10. SWAC coaches have pegged the Panthers to place fourth in the division.
The Panthers return eight starters on defense and five on offense, including quarterback Trazon Connley, but the road to winning the West has an extra bump in the road. Because the league added Florida schools Florida A&M and Bethune-Cookman, perennial East power Alcorn State has moved to the West.
Can the offense up its production?
Over coach Eric Dooley’s first two seasons the Panthers had one of the SWAC’s most explosive offenses. The numbers dropped in the spring, ranking sixth in the conference in scoring, averaging 22.7 points. The prior year the Panthers put up 35.5 points per game. At 366 yards per game this past spring, the Panthers were only fifth best in the conference.
Connley has settled in at quarterback, throwing for 341 yards in the spring finale. Top receiver Tony Mullins is a threat. Grambling State transfer Lyndemian Brooks should boost a running game that includes Kristian Mosley. The presence of allconference center Danny Garza is beneficial.
How will Storey Jackson’s transfer affect the defense?
From his linebacker position Jackson was the most impactful player on the Panthers, averaging an FCS-leading 16 tackles per game en route to making AllAmerica. But he has moved on to Liberty. Defensive back Jaylen Harris left to play in The Spring League.
The Panthers are solid at defensive end with two-time All-SWAC Jason Dumas, who had three sacks this spring. At linebacker Tre’Shaud Smith is preseason All-SWAC and a couple of redshirts will get their chance with Jackson’s departure. Jessie Evans and Warren Shankle appear ready to contribute. Leaders in the secondary are Darius Campbell and Drake Cheatum.
What does the schedule look like?
In a series it has dominated for more than a decade, winning 14 of the past 17 games, Prairie View opens its season on Sept. 4 in the Labor Day Classic at BBVA Stadium against its biggest rival Texas Southern. The Panthers play at Texas A&M on Nov. 20.
Following its game with TSU, Prairie View plays back-to-back games against Southland teams at Incarnate Word and its home opener against Houston Baptist on Sept. 18. In its final game of September Prairie View meets Grambling State at the Cotton Bowl in Dallas. On Oct. 16 the Panthers play at Bethune-Cookman in a league game.
What is the bottom line?
The Panthers have something to play for in 2021 and are eager to get back to a full traditional fall schedule and contend for a SWAC championship within the heightened league competition. Prairie View was ineligible to play in the conference championship game in the spring due to its low Academic Progress Rate.
After winning each of their first two games there was a fiveweek break before the Panthers played a third and final game in the spring, help turning the Panthers into a disciplined team. But a lack of conditioning because of stoppages played a role in the team’s offensive and defensive shortcomings.