DELTONA — As his team started spring practice last week, Kenny Pickens thought the Pine Ridge Panthers looked bigger, faster and, most importantly, stronger. Fifteen starters return from a 2-8 squad which took its share of lumps, but also showed plenty of fight.
"Last year, we were babies in a lot of positions, and we were still in a lot of games in the fourth quarter," Pickens said. "I think some inexperience, being young and not strong enough hurt us in those fourth quarters."
Pickens hopes those growing pains are a thing of the past. Pine Ridge lost to DeLand and Mount Dora each by a touchdown or less. The Panthers also scored 60 points in their final two games, but fell to New Smyrna Beach and Crescent City.
Arguably, the team's top playmakers on each side of the ball are back for 2018.
Junior wide receiver Blake Lee emerged as a weapon in the Panthers' passing game, catching 36 passes for 605 yards and eight touchdowns. Listed at 6-foot-2 and 175 pounds, he's popped up on the recruiting radar, attending camps at UCF and South Florida prior to the start of the spring.
"I wasn't quite expecting 600 and some yards and eight touchdowns," Lee said. "I don't know; I feel like God blessed me with it to show everyone what I can do around here and for recruiters to start talking to me."
Lee said Pickens has set goals of 1,000 yards and 10 touchdowns. He'll have to do so with a new quarterback as Dillon Torres transferred to nearby Deltona.
Those duties may fall to sophomore Keith Dean, who was ineligible last year but has opened eyes with his abilities to let it rip.
"He's got a cannon of an arm," Lee said. "He's got some things to work on, but he's going to be good."
Pickens expects his offensive line to be the most improved position group on the team. A slew of players will get a chance to pull away with the No. 1 running back job, including Najei Snyder, Earnest Graham, Stevon Dennis and Chase Marsil.
As for the Panthers defense, Derius May led the team with 52 tackles (six for loss) and Daniel Dale recorded four sacks. Pickens said Dale, a 6-foot-3, 230-pound edge rusher, grew exponentially in technique and could come into his own as a senior.
Pickens, a Pine Ridge grad, believes he has created a sense of stability for the program. Now, he said, it's time to produce winning results.
"This year is where we need to turn the tide and stay in our train of progression, and learn how to win those tight ballgames," he said.