Get In The Game, Panthers

It is that time of the year again, Panthers…Fall Sports! (football, cheerleading, girls tennis, girls golf, swimming, boys volleyball, girls volleyball, and cross country). Carolina Forest High has always been successful with sports, and the Panther supporters are always an encouragement to all teams. All of their wins are based on their hard work and dedication.   

Football is the highlight of fall sports at every high school in America…always has been and always will be. As football players enjoy spending time practicing and preparing for those Friday night lights, students and staff enjoy watching each week. Panthers fill up the stadium at every game which motivates and upholds our team. 

Marc Morris has been the head football coach for the past seven years. As his past players have grown into collegiate athletes, it is apparent that he cares about his players and tries to prepare them for the future.

Coach Morris describes his team as a “great group of guys that have worked hard and care about each other.” 

The varsity football team made it to the playoffs in the 21-22 season. They were also second in the region, which gives them high hopes for this season.

Coach Morris states, “The goals this season are to win the region and win a state championship.” 

Varsity starting quarterback, Scott Saylor, comments, “It feels great to win the first home game on the new field, and it gives us a lot of confidence going into the rest of the season.”    

Cheerleaders aren’t only at sporting events to cheer on Panther teams, but they also cheer competitively. They spend time practicing and learning a routine for their competitions daily. Our cheer team did place seventeen out of thirty-two at qualifiers during the 21-22 season. 

Coach Victoria Moore shares, “Our biggest goal is to make it to the state championship this year. Our team got close last year, and the girls are motivated to make it happen this year.” 

Our girls’ tennis team has been successful the past couple of years. Coach Alexis McNabb describes herself as a considerate coach and one who focuses on encouraging her team. 

Coach McNabb voices, “I like to keep my team’s spirits high and help them feel confident.”

The Panthers girls’ tennis team won the state championship for the 21-22 season. Coach McNabb mentioned that she’s looking forward to having some great competition this season and she focused on describing her team as skilled and spirited. 

Coach Mike Gray, the girls’ golf coach, has set goals for his team this season: winning Regions, finishing in the top three in Lower States, finishing top five in States, and picking up a win at one of the multi-opponent tournaments. 

Coach Gray states, “Our team is still very very young. We only have one senior. We have some talented 9th graders, and I’m excited about a new 7th grader that I see a ton of potential in.” 

Jeffrey Goodman is the swim coach this year. Coach Goodman is looking forward to watching his team grow and improve as a team and individuals. One of the swim team’s goals this season is to win a championship. Coach Goodman describes his team as a very “dynamic” team.

Coach Goodman says, “We are young this year with only three seniors. Over half of our team is between grades seven and nine. While we are young, we are also experienced, which is unique. Many of our swimmers swim year-round. Our team is very close and supportive of each other.”

Carolina Forest added a fall sport to the list of sports offered, which is boys volleyball. Chase Alfman is the coach, and it is his first season with Carolina Forest High School.  

When designing his schedule for the season, Coach Alfman wants his boys to play against some tough teams to forge competition for his team.

Coach Alfman shares that his coaching style is very positive and that he is always looking to give his players feedback.

“I would describe my coaching style as being very positive and giving lots of feedback. In every play, I always look for the positives that my players do, but I always give feedback on what they can work better on.” 

Britni Fox is this season’s cross country coach. The cross country team has always been successful, and this year they had many new athletes join over the summer, which will only benefit the program. 

Junior Gabby Hanson describes her teammates as, “loyal, dedicated, outgoing, light-hearted and full of energy.”

Michael Moukdarath is the new girls volleyball coach. Coach Mouk was the assistant coach for Carolina Forest last year. He assists in running the City Sikers Volleyball program and is a coach for the Grand Strand Juniors Volleyball Club. The girls’ volleyball team made it to the third round of playoffs last year. Their goal this season is to win All-Region this year. 

Jordan Autry, one of our senior players, states, “My goal this season is to become a leader that everyone can look up to.” 

As our Panthers have always been successful, we hope for them to be successful again this year. Good luck to all fall athletes. Let’s go, Panthers!