OUR PRESEASON SUPER 7 TEAM-BY-TEAM PREVIEWS BIG ...

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Panthers coach Frank Ambrose is highly
optimistic heading into the 2010 season.
“Last year was only the fifth winning season
in the school’s 50-year history,” he said. “We
made it to the first round of the playoffs. I was
pleased with our success after coming off a 1-10
record my first year at the school.”
Ambrose has a simple philosophy: If the game
is taught properly, wins will follow.
“Prepare your team to the best of their ability.
Trust your coaches to put your kids in the
right spots and to coach their position,” said
Ambrose.
The second part of the philosophy is
conditioning.
“(We want) to be the best-conditioned
team and control the line of scrimmage,” said
Ambrose. “We will be bigger and stronger and
in better shape than any team we play.”
OFFENSE
The Piedmont offense is built around “run
and gun” – but a little more run than gun.
Ambrose said his offense only passes when
there’s a potential for a big gain. Last season,
Piedmont averaged 18 yards per pass play, completing
69 percent.
The Panthers are led by junior quarterback
Ross Rushing, senior offensive tackle Stewart
Hinson and senior wide receiver Cameron
Leviner. Ambrose said that experience will
translate into great leadership.
by Mike Shaw
sports@carolinaweeklynewspapers.com
Football and life are the same to Piedmont
offensive linemen Jacob Brewer, Lucas Fisher
and Stewart Hinson – it’s a journey to prepare
them for the future.
“You get knocked down sometimes, but
you have to get back up and learn from it,”
Brewer said. “If you work hard, good things
will happen.”
And Brewer, Fisher and Hinson definitely
work hard.
What’s Brewing
Brewer spent last season on the sidelines
after suffering a season-ending knee injury.
“Instead of giving up, (Brewer) worked
extremely hard in the weight room in
preparation for this year,” said Fisher.
Brewer also attended camps this summer at
colleges such as Duke, Wake Forest, N.C. State,
East Carolina, Western Carolina, Wofford,
Elon and Appalachian State. He hopes that
helps his recruiting stock rise since he doesn’t
have game footage from last season.
“(Many) colleges have said that I’m very talented,
but (they’d) like to see some of my senior
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game film before making any offers,” said
Brewer. “I expect to be getting offers toward
the middle of the season.”
Brewer said his injury was a positive because he
spent more time in the weight room. He gained
35 pounds and moved from guard to center.
“It’s definitely made me a more dominant
player,” said Brewer.
Fisher’s example
Fisher, who’s committed to Duke, worked
equally hard in the offseason.
“I play hard every play and will work harder
than anyone that I go up against,” said Fisher.
His teammates have noticed.
“(Fisher) flies around the field, and I love
that about him,” said Brewer. “Lucas is a great
athlete and a great guy.”
A guy who clearly cares about the team.
“We have a good bit of underclassmen on
this football team,” Fisher said. “If I set the
example for them, they’ll be successful when
they’re juniors and seniors.”
The Big Stew
At 6 foot 7, 268 pounds, Hinson’s a wall for
the Panthers. He played tight end until the first
game of his junior season.
Panthers
Piedmont has several talented players, including (front row, from left) Wesley Marsh, Ross Rushing;
and (back row) Stewart Hinson, Cameron Leviner and Lucas Fisher. Mike Shaw/CWNG photo
The Panthers also have junior Baron Morris,
who Ambrose described as a quick receiver with
great hands.
DEFENSE
Ambrose describes the defense as relentless.
“You won’t see one of our defenders walking
to the ball,” said Ambrose. “We’ll control the
line of scrimmage and be fundamentally sound
and sure tacklers.”
The defensive line is paced by junior Kyle Eiss
and seniors Justin Crump and Lucas Fisher.
“These three have started every game the past
three years, and they know what type of mentality
we expect on defense,” said Ambrose.
Piedmont senior linemen Lucas Fisher, Jacob Brewer and Stewart Hinson
“The coaches thought it would be best to
switch me to tackle, and that’s definitely where
I (needed) to be,” said Hinson.
A while later, colleges became interested in
Hinson. This summer, on the same day they saw
him compete at a one-day camp, East Carolina
coaches offered him a scholarship. He accepted,
and he plans to use hard work to excel even more.
“I have improved every aspect of my game,”
he said. “I have become quicker, stronger and
overall just a better player. I have learned to be a
better football player and person through all the
good times and bad times in my career. I have
learned that no matter what may happen in life
you have to pick the ball up and keep going.”
Football Night in Union
SPECIAL TEAMS
Last season, the Panthers were perfect on
extra-point attempts. But Ambrose hasn’t
decided who’ll kick this year.
The only special teams role that Ambrose has
decided on are the long snappers: Hinson for
field goals and Leviner for punts.
– Mike Shaw
FAST FACTS
head coach: Frank Ambrose, third
season (8-15)
Returning starters: Offense, 9;
defense, 9
conference: Rocky River 1A/2A
2009 Record: 7-5, 6-2
2010 schedule
Aug. 20 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Parkwood
Aug. 27 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . at Porter Ridge
Sept. 3 . . . . . . . . . . . . . Concord Robinson
Sept. 10 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Union Academy
Sept. 17 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Monroe
Sept. 24 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Forest Hills
October 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Cuthbertson
Oct. 8 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Central Academy
Oct. 15 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at West Stanly
Oct. 29 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at North Stanly
Nov. 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . .at Charlotte Berry
Big Man on campus Campus
Closer than a brother
Brewer, Fisher, and Hinson work together
to ensure that the offense is successful each
snap. And they accomplish their mission by
trusting that each one of them is doing his
best every play.
The three have a deep respect for each other.
It’s evident in the way they talk about their
bond. They inspire each other to work hard.
“I love playing with Lucas and Jacob
because they’re my best friends,” Hinson said.
“They keep me motivated. We’ve been friends
for a long time, and we love playing football
together.” q
UNION COUNTY WEEKLY • FALL 2010 13
Jim Dedmon/CWNG photo