25 Teams in 25 Days: Pascagoula Panthers

Pascagoula football faced its fair share of challenges at the beginning of last season, battling through a difficult schedule. But when district play arrived, the Panthers delivered when it mattered most, earning another home playoff game. Unfortunately for Pascagoula, that playoff run came to an end in the second round for the third straight year.

This year, they’re looking to change that trend, starting at the top as they begin the Zach Green era.

“They’ve adapted. They know how we’re going to practice. They know it’s going to be physical. They know it’s going to be intense, and they’ve answered the call,” said Head Coach Zach Green. “We’re very talented. We don’t have all the stars and all the offers, but we have a team of some really good high school football players and guys that play with a chip on their shoulder. Guys that work hard and have that blue-collar mentality. They come to school and know it’s going to be hot out here, but they come out with a smile on their face. They attack on the field and push through adversity.”

The Panthers graduated a whole lot of experience and some big names from last year’s team, but the next men up have been patiently waiting for their opportunity. Pascagoula returns six players on offense and three on defense — and Coach Green likes what he sees from the group.

“We’re physical on both sides of the ball. On offensive line, we’re really nasty right now. Obviously, we have Sean Norvel, who’s returning at tailback and who’s a really good back. And we’ve added guys like Kevin Marshall, who’s also a weapon. I’ve been really pleased with our quarterback, Jason Glaude, who’s not afraid to run the football as well. Defensively, we’ve just got a bunch of guys that are going to run, hit and play with an attitude,” said Coach Green.

Along with that attacking attitude, these Panthers have chemistry. Sean Norvel and Kevin Marshall say that bond starts with the 17-player senior class.

“This group of kids has grown up playing with one another. Our middle school year, we won the championship, and we’ve just got a tight bond. We hang out outside of school and outside of football, and we’re just close like brothers,” said Sean Norvel.

“Our connection and team chemistry is like that. We just know how to get along with everybody else, and that’s just how we make each other better,” said Kevin Marshall.

And whether it’s a senior on the field or a freshman, every Panther is committed to playing with an edge.

“We use the term ‘edge.’ It’s just having an edge about yourself and attitude. Just not being complacent and so easy-going all the time. It’s just having the mentality of being the bully,” said Coach Green.

“It just gives us an edge on our shoulder. It just makes us see that we’re not getting handed anything and we’ve got to take everything. It’s not going to be easy, and that just makes us keep pushing and driving,” said Kevin Marshall.

And the Panthers believe that edge can lead to a fourth championship banner at War Memorial Stadium.

“We just want to win a game ball and bring it back home,” said Norvel.

“We want to go all the way to state. We’ve got to win state. We’ve got to bring back the gold ball just like Sean said. We’ve got to put Pascagoula back on the map,” said Marshall.

“We’re a lunch-pail team. Pack a lunch pail and go to work because it’s going to take effort from everyone, all the way from number zero to 99 on the roster, our entire coaching staff, our administration and the community. It’s going to take all of us going in the same direction to add a fourth banner right here to Pascagoula High School,” said Coach Green.

Their first step toward that banner comes Friday, August 28th, when the Panthers host a familiar foe — Moss Point High School.