40 in 30: Marengo Panthers

Our next 40 in 30 team is the Marengo Panthers - a team that made it to the quarterfinals of the Alabama Class 1A playoffs in 2017.

"Last year's team was the furthest we've been in the playoffs in over 16-20 years" said Marengo head coach Bernard Myrthil. "This year's team knows how hard it was to get there, so they're going to work a little bit harder. They expect to represent this area well and be there again this year."

The Panthers return 8 starters on offense and 9 on defense, and hope to build upon last year's success.

"We have to try and get that same motivation, that same hunger that the guys had last year" Myrthil said. "If we can get that going, and get those guys to buy into the program, we have a good core of guys returning from last year's team."

Marengo ended the season at 9-4, falling in the 1A quarterfinals to Wadley, a game that motivates the players going into this season.

"It's still in my head" said Marengo junior defensive lineman Ronald Bouler Jr. "I kinda want revenge, so hopefully we see them in the playoff and get our revenge."

Myrthil enters his fifth season leading the Panthers football team, with a core group of players he has been coaching since the 8th grade.

"I made a promise to them that we're going to make it to the dance before they graduate" Myrthil said. "I hope to get there with them this year."

Marengo opens the 2018 season on the road at Pickens County.