Here’s a look at the Panhandle Panthers heading into the 2026 football season. Press Pass Sports was able to speak with veteran coach Dane Ashley about how motivated the Panthers are following last year. What to expect with a lot of new faces heading into this season, and Panhandle loading up a very competitive non-district schedule.

2025 resume

Head coach: Dane Ashley, 12th year at Panhandle, 95-39. 12th year overall.
2025 Record: 9-3 overall, 4-1 in District 1-2A Division I. Class 2A Division I area finalist.

Returning starters

Offense: 4
Defense: 5
Season opener: at Canadian, 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 28.

Football player in a purple helmet and white jersey with a purple number, on a football field with a pink mouthguard hanging from the gear. — Landen Andrews totaled 587 yards receiving for the Panhandle Panthers last year. [Tyler Anderson/ Press Pass Sports]

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Landen Andrews, 5-foot-8, 160-pounds, WR-DB, Sr.

While the Panthers lost some very impactful players at the skill position, Andrews is a key veteran presence returning. He’s not the biggest, but Andrews is lightning quick and is dangerous in open space. Last season, Andrews was able to catch 26 passes for 587 yards with eight touchdowns. He is also an asset in the secondary with 23 tackles and five interceptions.

Lukas Purcell, 6-foot-1, 180-pounds, WR-DB, Sr.

Purcell is another skill player to keep an eye on out of the backfield for the Panthers this year. Though he was overshadowed by quarterback Broxton Robinson at times last year, Purcell quietly rushed for 762 yards on only 71 carries with eight TDs. Purcell is even an option at quarterback if coach Dane Ashley needs him.

Jacob Herzberg, 6-foot, 235-pounds, OL-DL, Sr.

Herzberg is another in a long list of strong, physical Panhandle Panther lineman. Herzberg is one of the strongest players in the football program and leads the trenches on both sides of the ball. Last season as a junior, Herzberg graded out at 96 percent on the offensive line with 29 pancake blocks and 11 knockdowns without allowing a sack. On the defensive front, he tallied 42 tackles and four sacks.