Amanda Elzy coach Henry Fant will be the first to tell you he's shocked by his team's 3-0 start.
"To tell you the absolute truth, I had no idea we would be at this point. It's a great feeling for our kids and those associated with our program, because we're already two wins ahead of last year's total three games into the season," Fant said.
Expectations weren't high at Elzy to start the season, considering the inexperience factor and low numbers. So it's easy to see why a 3-0 start, which includes wins against Class 5A-member Greenville Weston and 4A-member Greenwood, has the 3A school on cloud nine.
"It's says a lot about our kids to battle those bigger schools, with bigger players and bigger numbers, and to come away with the wins," Fant said.
Fant doesn't believe this year's group has a lot more talent than the team that struggled to a 1-9 mark last season, but this year's team has much more heart and desire. A change in attitude has also been a big key for the turnaround.
"We had to let some people go off the team because their attitudes weren't in line with the team approach," Fant said. "We've got a lot of new, young guys, but they are willing to listen to the coaches and work hard."
The Panthers have won with defense so far. The unit - led by senior Eric Dodd, an outside linebacker/defensive end - has allowed just two touchdowns in three games. Fellow senior backers Alex Horton and Cordaryl Banks have led the team in tackles.
Fant credited the work of defensive coordinator Earnest Williams for the defenses success.
"He's really done a good job with this group," Fant explained. "We put all of our best players on defense. We feel like a good defense will always keep you in the game.
"Offensively, we're not explosive or fancy. We've kept things pretty basic, but I see us improving on that side of the ball as the season goes on."
As pleased as he is with the 3-0 start, Fant knows that doesn't matter now that the Panthers are set to begin conference play.
Elzy opens Region 4-3A league play at 7:30 p.m. Friday against South Delta in Rolling Fork.
"I've told our kids to forget the first season, the first three games. Those are for bragging rights. Now we're starting the second season, conference play, and that you've got to win during the second season if you're going to make it to the third season, the playoffs," Fant said.
"We want to win this one so we can send a message that will echo through the district, but if go down there and slip up, people will know that we can be beat."
South Delta, which is coming off a 20-8 loss to Hollandale Simmons, is 0-3, but Fant says the Panthers can't take the Bulldogs for granted, especially since Elzy hasn't beaten South Delta in the last five tries.
