By Shannon Fagan, WEIS Sports Director

SPRING GARDEN – The 2025 football season was an unusual one by Spring Garden standards. There were a lot of new faces in key places after the Panthers graduated 13 seniors in 2024.

Still, Spring Garden managed to clinch the school’s 12^th consecutive playoff berth and finished the season at 6-5.

But it could’ve been even better.

Had a handful of plays gone the Panthers’ way, particularly in crucial games at Woodville on Sept. 12 and at Appalachian on Oct. 3, Spring Garden could’ve found itself winning another region championship.

In the Woodville game, Woodville built an 11-point lead in the fourth quarter but had to hold on late for its first ever win over Spring Garden, 41-26.

Against Appalachian, the Panthers led 8-7 at halftime, but the Eagles scored twice in the second half to take a 20-8 victory on their way to clinching the Class 1A, Region 8 championship.

But last year is last year as far as the Panthers are concerned. Lessons have been learned, and now the page has turned to the 2026 season.

“Some people look at going 6-5 and would be like that’s a successful year, but that was a disappointing finish for us,” fourth year head coach Barrett Ragsdale said. “The Appalachian game, we shot ourselves in the foot. Against Woodville, we had a chance. We had a slow start in that game, came back, and kind of imploded.”

“I don’t know if that’s where that inexperience bug came in. We got in a tight game and hadn’t been there before, and we didn’t know how to handle it. Hopefully this year that translates to these same kids we had on the field. Now we’ve been in those tight games on the road. Hopefully we can learn from last year and that can be a growing process.”

One of those players who grew into his role last year was Brady Ruark. Now a senior, Ruark was a first-year starter at quarterback for the Panthers, and he didn’t disappoint.

A second-team all-state selection as an athlete, Ruark ran for 1,250 yards on 174 carries with 17 touchdowns. He also connected on 49-of-81 pass attempts for 827 yards and five touchdowns. He also had 32 tackles and a pair of interceptions as a defensive back.

“Brady is one of those guys who catches on to things very quick. He’s got a really good football mind,” Ragsdale said. “He’s not only able to execute the plays, but he’s also very good at being a field general, putting people where they need to go. If somebody has a question, he’s on the fly answering and moving people. That is invaluable to have.

“On top of that, he’s a shifty guy with the football. Brady’s not the biggest guy to have played quarterback here, but he plays like he’s 6-5. He’s really good about getting behind his blockers. He’s really hard to hem up.”

Ruark remembers the growing pains the Panthers had last year. He said it serves as motivation for them to do better in 2026.

“There were a couple of games where we were really close to winning. If we would’ve changed four or five plays we could’ve won those games,” he said. “We want to be way better than we were last year.”

For the Panthers, becoming better than last year began in the weight room during the offseason.

Ragsdale said he’s seen several players who have “really changed themselves physically from November to right now,” particularly in the secondary.

“If you saw them last year at the end of football season that uniform fit a little more loose. They’ve committed to the weight room, and I think that’s going to translate to seeing some new guys on the field in some important roles,” Ragsdale said.

Speaking of important roles, junior tailback Ben Baker showed flashes last season he could run the football. Now he’s expected to be the Panthers’ featured back following the graduation of Clayton Sadler and Zane Edwards.

“Last year as a sophomore, Ben had some big games and did a lot of good things for us. He had a lot of big touches last year,” Ragsdale said. “I think Ben Baker is a name that’s going to step into the light this year people are going to hear a lot of.”

Joining Baker in the backfield is senior Ryder Kralka and sophomore Hayes Guthrie. Kralka and Guthrie, as well as juniors Cam Cade, Isaac Parris and Lucas McGatha, and freshmen Brodie Bostick and Rylan Wilson could be in the mix as Panther receivers. Most of those guys will also patrol the Panther secondary on defense.

Ragsdale also said Wilson has also been getting reps at quarterback.

The Panthers are senior-laden along the offensive and defensive fronts. Zack Scogin has been a four-year starter, mainly on the offensive line. Bryant Williams is a returning second team all-state selection on the defensive line after posting 90 tackles and four sacks. Jake Marlow and Brady Kirk are also senior linemen. Junior Brody Lemons, as well as several younger Panthers, will also be in the line rotation.

Spring Garden still competes in Class 1A, Region 8 along with Gaylesville, Appalachian, Ragland, Valley Head and Woodville. The only major change in the region is the addition of Cedar Bluff, which drops down from 2A.

Following a jamboree at Section on Aug. 14, the Panthers open the 2026 season by hosting Gaston on Thursday, Aug. 20.

The Gaston game is the first of four straight home games for Spring Garden. The Panthers host Sand Rock on Aug. 28, Appalachian on Sept. 4 and Gaylesville on Sept. 11.

Spring Garden hits the road for the next two weeks of the season at Ragland on Sept. 18 and at Pleasant Valley on Sept. 25.

The Panthers open October at home against Cedar Bluff on Oct. 2, then travel to Valley Head and Woodville on Oct. 9 and Oct. 23 respectively. Spring Garden closes out the regular season at home against Ranburne on Oct. 30.

“This schedule is very similar to an old (Spring Garden) schedule,” Ragsdale said. “I think it’s going to be good for everybody’s gates. There will be some good football to watch.”