With the new turf field at Potomac Falls came a new group of football players, and a new head coach, Paul Barnes, to lead the team. After being ranked last in the conference at the start of the year, the Panthers started their season with a strong 16-10 win over the Broad Run Spartans and haven’t slowed down since.

“We’re playing really well together; we are working hard in practice, and we have a stronger [team chemistry this year],” said senior safety Alex Nemer.

After previous head coach, Jason Allen, moved down south to take on a new challenge, Barnes decided to take the helm.

“The coaching style [with Coach Barnes] is slightly different. I think it’s more laid back which I think is a better way for us [as a team],” said junior linebacker Grant Misch.

Potomac Falls is off to a 5-0 start and has scored 172 points, and only allowed their opponents to score 79 points, a +93 point spread favoring the Panthers. Through the Panthers’ undefeated season, they have been dominating, blowing out the last three opponents by scoring 141 and holding their opponents to only 62.

“Being undefeated is great, but we still have five games left in the regular season. It’s something we are very proud of, but we still need to finish strong and stay undefeated,” said junior quarterback Hunter Lawall.

While the offense struggled last year, and the defense was one of the best in the county, the team has had many players enhance their talent and allowed an offensive turnaround and kept their phenomenal defense in tact.

“I think everyone has really [improved] this year offensively and defensively. We are working really well as a team,” said Nemer.

The offense has many scoring machines on the team, such as the dynamic duo of Lawall, and senior wide receiver Kaevon Chase. The Panthers backfield also improved this year with weapons, senior Kash Jackson, and juniors Jordan Day and Jad Raqi. Although the team’s defense only had two returning starters this year, they still are one of the best in the county and is lead by Nemer, Misch, and senior Matt Macioce.  

As the Panthers’ season continues, their schedule gets harder. In October, the team will face three tough conference opponents, Tuscarora, Briar Woods, and Stone Bridge High Schools. Although the team’s schedule will start to get harder, they are not focused on any one game but the next.

“All football games are tough. The team is just worried about [the next game]. We are focusing on going 1-0 every week,” said Lawall.

The Panthers take on the Huskies in their first conference game, Friday, Oct. 7 at Fortune Field in hopes of continuing their unbeaten streak.