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By ALEC ETHEREDGE | Publisher

SELMA – Coming off a third 70-plus point performance this season to finish undefeated in the regular season for the first time in school history, the Southside Panthers now enter the postseason with bigger history on their minds.

After falling 48-28 in the semifinals of the Class 3A playoffs last year, the Panthers have had redemption on their mind this season, trying to erase that bitter taste left in their mouths at the end of the 2024 season.

That has shown throughout the regular season, but now is the time they have the opportunity to shift into a new gear and add even more to this historic book they are writing in 2025.

Southside closed out the regular season last week with another dominant effort, picking up a 76-38 victory over Bullock County.

It marked the third time this season the Panthers have scored 70-plus points in a game and the sixth time they have scored 56 or more.

It’s an offense that has scored 576 points overall this season and is on pace to set a new AHSAA single-season scoring record for a team should they keep up the offensive success on a deep playoff run.

But the team has bigger goals that statistics like that, this team hopes to put together a state championship run that matches their 10-0 regular season.

A season full of firsts, they now have a chance to make a quick playoff statement against Dadeville in the opening round.

The Tigers enter the playoffs with a 3-6 record, but all three wins came in region play to earn them a spot in the postseason as the four seed from Region 4.

It’s a team that has actually played decent football defensively this season, giving up 25.3 points per game, including 0 and 10 in their two previous games ahead of a bye week leading into the playoffs.

The defense has also given up 14 or less in four of nine games this season.

That said, they gave up 50 to Glenwood School and 49 to Handley.

This Southside offense is more comparable to those schools and will have the opportunity to put up points as a unit scoring 57.6 points per game.

To me, however, it’s the Southside defense that is primed for success in this one.

The Panthers have given up 10.7 points per game, and while they’ve given up 22 and 38 in their final two games of the season, they gave up 15 or less in the first eight, including four shutouts.

Expect both sides of the ball to be impressive for the Panthers in this first-round matchup, as they’ll have a great chance at advancing and kickstarting their playoff run.