Photo By Patty Theurer - #11 Isaiah Krohn
Written by Chris Deremer
The Parma Panthers look to surprise many in the competitive Snake River Valley Conference.
With second year head coach Alex Willson at the helm, the Panthers look to take the next step at finding success within the program. Last season, the Panthers finished with a 1-7 record, dropping each game within the conference.
While many teams within the Snake River Valley seem to only be getting better, the Panthers look to be struggling just staying afloat. Before coming to Parma, coach Willson spent five seasons coaching under head coach Matt Holtry at Homedale. If anyone is able to rebuild a program from the ground up, Willson is the man to do it.
After being with Homedale for five years, Willson knows how a winning program is run, and hopes that he can now build the same success.
On the offensive side of the ball, Willson said that success will start with Isaiah Krohn.
A year ago, Krohn received first team all-conference honors at wide receiver and defensive back, providing the dynamic playmaking ability that the Panthers needed on both sides of the ball.
This season, Krohn will make the position change to quarterback. According to Willson, Krohn has made the position change seem almost painless.
“(Krohn) is the most athletic, hard working kid on the field,” Coach Willson said. “He has picked up the position incredibly fast and gives us some great options on offense for us this season.”
In order to find more success on offense, Willson says that scheme changes are needed to find more balance within the offense.
“We will focus on running the ball and utilizing the talent of running backs we have while being creative and making it fun for our players,” Willson said.
Willson will be taking over as the offensive coordinator this year, giving the Panther offense a new look and new scheme. For the Parma defense, the story seems to be the same. With the talent being there for the Panthers, moves need to be made to best utilize the talent.
“Last year our kids were pushed into a scheme that maybe didn’t fit them well,” Willson said. “This year we have switched things up that will fit our personnel much better and give us better chances to get off the field for fourth downs.”
The most difficult task for the Panther defense will be slowing down the powerful opposing offenses within the Snake River Valley.
Willson said bringing the physicality and being able to stop the run are at the top of their priority.
“In our conference, you have to be built to stop the run first,” Willson said. “Our style this year will focus more on being aggressive to stopping the run from a lot of different ways.”
While Isaiah Krohn will be a huge factor for the Panther offense, he will also carry the duties of being the leader of the Parma defense as well. With Krohn playing at the free safety position for the defense, Willson says he will give the young playmaker more reigns of being able to make calls and checks to better help the team succeed.
With coach Willson seeming to be able to build better schemes for his players, the Panthers look to defy the odds heading into the 2020 campaign.
Parma opens the season Aug. 28 hosting New Plymouth.