Strong running back duo should power Pascagoula offense

Pascagoula football coach Lewis Sims likes to point out that his team has lost 13 starters and has a lack of quality depth. But there’s no denying that the Panthers have one area where there’s no reason for concern — running back.

A pair of seniors, Reginald Hunter and Javarous Walker, have a chance to give Pascagoula the best one-two combination at running back on the Coast and possibly one of the better duos in the state.

Hunter has Tulane, Louisville and Louisiana-Lafayette on his list of scholarship offers after rushing 236 times for 1,364 yards and 13 touchdowns last season.

Walker didn’t touch the field in 2015 due to an injury, but showed promise as a sophomore in 2014 with 471 yards and a team-leading seven touchdowns.

With both players healthy, Sims likes what he has seen out of the pair in fall camp.

“Last year, we hitched the wagon to Reginald early and he handled that really well,” Sims said. “I’ve been really impressed with his ability to lead and to practice with purpose. He helps those guys around him by answering questions and being a go-to guy.

“It’s the same thing with Javarous. He’s focused 100 percent on doing the things he needs to do. He’s such a student of the game and able to absorb everything quickly. They feed off one another. It’s a we not me kind of deal.”

Junior Dalvin “Trey” Abney, a Moss Point transfer, and senior Demyreon Boyce will add depth to the Pascagoula ground game.

Defensive Panthers

Hunter and Walker are far from the lone top talents on the Pascagoula roster. Senior defensive tackle/offensive tackle James Jackson is a Mississippi State commit and senior defensive end Rasheed Jackson holds scholarship offers from Southern Miss, Jackson State and Nicholls State. The two linemen are cousins.

James Jackson, who will likely play on the defensive line at MSU, is listed at 6-foot-3, 345 pounds and Rasheed Jackson checks in at 6-foot-4, 225 pounds.

QB situation

Sims isn’t quite ready to anoint senior Granlund Torjusen, who has seen significant playing time since his sophomore season, as his starting quarterback. He’s in a battle with junior Hunter Collins and Boyce, a senior.

“Each of them do different things well,” Sims said. “Each of them have aspects of their game where they need to improve. Whoever shows the most improvement over the next two weeks will get the start (on Aug. 19) vs. Moss Point.”

Whoever is at quarterback will work behind an offensive line led by James Jackson at one tackle and 6-foot-1, 266-pound Dalan Hurst at the other. Senior Mariko Harris and junior Ja’Lyric Molton will be at the two guards while the center spot if up for grabs. Andrew Summerlin also has a chance to play on the line.

Jason Crawford, Dwaylin Harris and Jarvis Walley are three seniors who will be expected to step up at receiver.

Defensive situation

While Rasheed Jackson will start at one defensive end, the other end is up for grabs with Jaeden Ridgeway, Landyn Gordon, Travis Watson and Kerry Houser all in the hunt.

James Jackson should see significant time at defensive tackle with several other players looking for playing time on the interior.

Seniors Alden Davis and Matt Inlow should lead a strong linebacking corps.

Pascagoula will have an entirely new secondary this season after losing all four starters from a year ago. Senior Adrian Johnson and juniors Jamarious Butler, Isiah Jackson, Latarrance Addison and Joe Biggs are all players who should see time in the defensive backfield.

This story was originally published August 10, 2016 at 5:00 AM with the headline "Strong running back duo should power Pascagoula offense."