2015 High School Football Tour – Stop #7: French Camp

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FRENCH CAMP, Miss. (WCBI) — There’s reason to be excited if you’re a part of FC Panther Nation for 2015.

Head coach Nathan Wright at French Camp Academy welcomes back a strong team full of experience and talent that could have the opportunity to put together another storybook season, much like their run in 2013.

“We do have a lot of guys coming back particularly at the skill positions,” Wright said. “Up front, we do have some question marks but we’re excited to have our quarterback and running back returning.”

It was just two seasons ago that French Camp won the school’s first ever State Championship. The expectations last season may have been a bit unrealistic following the Title but even with a revamped team the Panthers managed to finish 5-3 in the division and get into the playoffs.

At this point though, that’s what is expected at FCA and the Panthers want more.

“I think we’re at the stage where playoffs have become the expectation for us and for our fans,” Wright said. “That wasn’t the expectation for a while here but now it is.

“We feel like in 1A if we can get into the playoffs, we have a chance. That’s what we’re really working toward.”

Returning for French Camp is senior quarterback Luke McKnight, who led the Panthers in passing and rushing a season ago.

Add in four of the five top tacklers from last season and FCA is a team that may conjure up memories from their two year run to the 1A State Title game.

All of that helps the cause but it’s the close-knit, team atmosphere that has developed that will really help French Camp in their quest to return to the State Championship.

“This team is united,” coach Wright said. “We have a lot of guys that have worked together since junior high. They may not be spectacular athletes but they work hard and work well together. They laugh together, they play together, and they’re very coachable.”

It’s a tough start to the year that coach Nathan Wright hopes will prepare his team for division play.

MAIS opponent Winona Christian starts it off at home before trips to face Eupora and Winona prior to Region 3-1A action for French Camp in 2015.