JOHNNY EASTTOM
4-6
OFFENSE
The Panthers are mixing the ingredient of size and veteran leadership along with talented but young skill position players with expectations of blending a winning recipe in 2025 as Johnny Easttom takes charge as the new head coach following a successful stint as an assistant at Elk City.
A pair of 3-year veterans in the trenches at offensive tackle, Latch Smith (6-1, 260, Sr.) and Gavyn Jones (6-3, 225, Sr.) earned VYPE Top 100 nominations for their physical style of play and leadership both on and off the field. The bulk of the Panthers front tilts the scales of strength as starting center Jayden Nelms (6-3, 275, Sr.) and guard Dalton Wilkett (6-5, 302, Sr.) will return to the starting unit. Morgan Peery (5-8, 165, Sr.) enters his third season in the offensive backfield joined by Rudy Martinez (5-, 165, Jr.) to share the load in the Panthers ground attack. The new coach and his staff must determine who will lead the offense at quarterback where Bryler Honeycutt (6-3, 174, So.) and Graham Easttom (6-1, 165, So.) continue to compete for the starting role. “Regardless of who earns the starter’s role, both of these young men have the skills to create productive results at quarterback or other spots in our offense,” said coach Easttom. Wide receivers Carter Hutchinson (5-9, 155, Sr.) and Nick Condi (5-9, 145, So.) will stretch the field while Landon Blizzard (6-1, 180, Jr.) and Kaden Ross (6-0, 175, So.) will play at tight end.
DEFENSE
The experience size and strength of the Panthers defensive front will battle to control the line of scrimmage with the return of five starters including defensive tackle Latch Smith, who made 52 stops last season including eight for minus yards and four sacks reuniting with defensive end Gavyn Jones who totaled 39 tackles and seven tackles for loss joined by Trevor Reavis (6-5, 332, So.) who coaches expect to be an immovable object on the line of scrimmage. Morgan Peery will join forces with Devan Johnson (5-10, 185, Sr.) while the Panthers secondary unit will be anchored by cornerback Bryler Honeycutt and free safety Graham Easttom, who started last year as a freshman at Elk City. Carter Hutchinson will play at corner while Grady Kettles (5-9, 165, Jr.) and Colt Faulkner (6-0, 180, Jr.) compete at safety. “All of the players have put in the work this summer to get bigger, faster and stronger trying to earn their spot on the field,” said Easttom. The Panthers will seek to make the most of the home field advantage playing three of their first four contests at home in front of the loud and proud Panther fans.
SCHEDULE
9-5 – at Sallisaw
9-12 – vs. Mena Ark.
9-19 – vs. Stilwell
9-26 – vs. Lincoln Christian
10-3 – at Idabel
10-10 – vs. Checotah
10-16 – at Eufaula
10-24 – at Locust Grove
10-31 – vs. Muldrow
11-7 – at Holland Hall
