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By Carey Reeder | Managing Editor

Jemison High School’s Luke Gann is the week’s athlete of the week for his performance in the Panthers 27-26 win over Thorsby High School on Aug. 25.

Gann controlled the Jemison offense and protected the ball beautifully the entire game against Thorsby. Jemison head coach John Therrell and the coaching staff mixed in run and pass plays well, and Gann was on time and on target when his number was called to make a throw.

“We did not take too many shots down the field, but every ball we threw was where it needed to be, when it needed to be there and I was really impressed with his play,” Therrell said. “He took a few shots too and he toughed through it. That is what you look for in a quarterback, someone who pushes through adversity. He was fun to watch … He definitely has all of the tools to be successful this year.”

The junior was 19-for-29 for 146 yards and one touchdown against the Rebels and posted an 89.2 quarterback rating. While the numbers Gann put up were not monstrous, it was his calm demeanor and ability to hit the easy throws underneath and in the flats that helped aid the Jemison offense time and again against Thorsby. Gann did not throw an interception, and if he did miss a throw it was in places that could not hurt Jemison in the long run such as seam routes down the middle. Gann was also the recipient of a trick-play touchdown as he hauled in a 27-yard touchdown toss from running back Kintre Jackson for the Panthers first score of the game.

Gann’s calmness and accuracy under center helped Jemison to its first win over an in-county opponent since 2020 when Jemison beat Thorsby 35-8. It was also Therrell’s first win over a Chilton County school as well.

 

Honorable mention: Kintre Jackson, Jemison High School

 

Jackson was the other offensive stud the Panthers leaned on to get the season-opening win over Thorsby. Jackson carried the ball 20 times for 77 yards and two touchdowns, and accounted for three touchdowns after tossing Gann the touchdown in the first half. Jackson battled cramps throughout the second half and was limited, but he was able to get into the end zone twice in the second half to aid the Jemison comeback win.