Samber Impressed By Macon County Offense

The Stone Memorial Panthers will face off against Macon County Friday night in Crossville to decide the third and fourth seed the 4-4A region.

The Macon County Tigers come into this week 11 match up averaging 42 points in their seven wins, while the Panthers defense has allowed 13 points in their five wins. Stone Head Coach Derek Samber said this is one of the premier offenses in the Upper Cumberland.

“You can’t say this enough, I mean this wholeheartedly, what Kyle Shoulders does, coach Shoulders there at Macon, what he does offensively is so, so difficult to prepare for,” Samber said. “So, it’s really all of the above when it comes to what’s difficult to stop on their offense.”

Macon County features a three-headed backfield that includes senior quarterback Luke Gammon and offensive weapons Zach and Gabe Borders. Samber said the Tigers offense is filled with talent, so stopping them will come down to the basics of football.

“We’ve got to tackle well and have good fundamentals, on the second and third level in particular,” Samber said. “Technique up front on the line of scrimmage, playing our technique, playing our gap and doing our job up front. I say it all the time, but pursuit is what we preach on defense. It takes all 11 guys pursuing the football to get either of the Borders on the ground.”

The brothers have combined for 1,670 rushing yards, 395 receiving yards and 44 total touchdowns.

Samber said the Macon County is just another in a long line of talented, well coaches teams the Panthers have faced this year. He said their strength of schedule has prepared his players to face more great athletes in the post-season.

“I think we’ve learned some lessons as the year’s gone on,” Samber said. “Just about every week we’ve got to bring our A game. And that certainly includes our region. You know, it’s crazy to think about one of us and Macon is going to end up the four seed and we both really competed with the number one team in the state, Upperman.”

Panthers versus Tigers at Panther Stadium in Crossville, kickoff at 7pm.