2026 Football Preview: Chesapeake Panthers

CHESAPEAKE — What a difference a year can make.

Last season, Kevin Hutchison took over the Chesapeake Panthers for his first-ever head coaching job.

Faced with a major rebuilding task, Hutchison said he learned a lot during a 1-9 season, but he said his players learned quite a lot and got a lot of experience.

“It seems scary because we’re so much farther ahead than what we were last year. Last year, we were implementing a new offense and a new defense. It was a struggle at times,” said Hutchison.

“But so far, the flex days and these practices it seems like the kids —because they all played last year — they’re understanding the system and how we want to go fast. It seems pretty good so far.”

One player who has been impressive in practice is senior Jackson Spitler (6-3, 260).

“One senior, Jackson Spitler, has a lot of experience and we’re expecting him to have a big year. He worked out hard the whole offseason. I think he had the caliber of playing at the next level,” said Hutchison.

“He can have a big year. If he does, I’m going to contribute it to the weight room because he’s been at it since November lifting weights and working hard.”

Spitler isn’t the only player who has caught Hutchison’s attention. Senior Peyton Muncy (6-1, 195) has shown great versatility and intensity in his workouts.

“Peyton Muncy is going to be playing linebacker and on offense he’s going to be playing three positions. He’s going to be running back some plays, wide receiver some plays and quarterback some plays,” said Hutchison.

“He’s a hard worker. He doesn’t shy away from contact. He likes to hit people. I’m hoping he’s going to have a big year, too.”

Taking over the quarterback duties this season will be sophomore K.J. Mclain.

“He can sling it. He doesn’t necessarily look like a quarterback, but once you watch him play, he’s getting really good with Coach (Brent) Wilcoxon’s system. He’s doing his reads and he’s looking very good right now,” said Hutchison.

Senior Marquis Branch (5-7, 145) is the leader in the running back position. Hutchison said his season was cut short last year due to suffering a broken collarbone in just the second game of the season. But he’s healthy and the coach expects big things from him as well.

“That was his first year playing in a while. He has a lot of ability,” said Hutchison.

Colten Huffman was an offensive lineman last season, but he is being moved from.

“He’s worked out and got in such good shape that we moved him from lineman to running back,” said Hutchison. “He’s going to be one of the running back guys.”

The wide receiver corps has several players to choose from headed up by senior Jonas Washington (5-8, 150) as well as his sophomore brother Jaden Washington.

Another aspect of his game, Jaden Washington (5-9, 145) is also an excellent return man who ran back several kickoffs and punts for touchdowns last season to make him going at the next level.

“Jaden Washington is an excellent returner,” said Hutchison.

Senior Easton Lewis (6-0,160) is also in the mix along with junior Aden Nester-Howard (6-2, 175) who was a quarterback last season.

“Easton works hard. He’s an athlete,” Hutchison said.

Up front the Panthers will have Spitler at right tackle and senior Casey Barker (6-0, 250) playing at the opposite site.

“He probably started half the games last season. He has good experience,” said Hutchison.

The center will be Jake Saunders (5-11, 225) and Hutchison said his job will be very important.

“He has big shoes to fill. We screwed up a lot last year with bad snaps. We can’t have bad snaps this year,” said Hutchison. “He started working there about a week and a half ago and he’s looked pretty good.”

Senior J.C. Ritchie will be stepping in to play one guard position.

“Ritchie didn’t play last year. We’re expecting big things out of him. He’s a powerlifter. He’s a good, strong kid.”

Junior Hunter Dillon (6-1, 260) looks to be in the mix for the other guard slot and Hutchison said “he played a lot last year.”

Senior Trey Adams (5-11, 165) also figures to get playing time because “he can play every position except center,” said Hutchison.

The Panthers plan to use a four-man front on the defensive side. Hutchison said players are catching on faster this year to defensive coordinator Chris Leese’s system.

“Like the offense, it seems like we’re catching on so much faster this year. We’re ahead of what we were last year,” said Hutchison.

The defensive tackles will be Barker and Dillon with Spitler and Ritchie the ends.

The inside linebackers are Muncy and Huffman (6-0, 205) with Branch playing the rover position.

In the secondary, Hutchison said the Panthers have two good cornerbacks in senior Aden Parrott (5-10,145) and Jaden Washington.

Hutchison said the safety jobs are still up for grabs with the top candidates junior Alex Elder, junior Boggie Burdine and Jonas Washington.

“Hopefully, we win some games this year. Last year we won only one game and I had a blast. Imagine if we actually win some games this year,” said Hutchison with a laugh.

The kicking game returns placekicker junior Lily Helmstetler with Parrott handling the kickoffs.

“She does really good on her extra points. Parrott has a stronger leg, so he does our kickoffs for us. Last year at the end of the season he was kicking them into the end zone,” said Hutchison.

In the Ohio Valley Conference, Hutchison said it will be competitive as always.

“I think Gallia looks like the team to beat. That quarterback is really good,” said Hutchison. Every week is a battle. You have to show up every week.”

With six league games and a non-conference schedule that includes Symmes Valley, Portsmouth Notre Dame, Northwest and Minford, Hutchison noted that seven of the teams they play will have first-year head coaches.

“I’m hoping that they mess up as much as I did last year,” Hutchison said with a grin.

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