ABBEVILLE, S.C. —

Heavy is the head that wears the crown. For the second time in three years, the Abbeville Panthers enter the season defending a state title.

But the team returns just five starters from a season ago, Coach Jamie Nickles is calling it a heavy rebuilding process.

The Panthers will have a first-year starter at quarterback, with Jaden Baylor taking a majority of the reps with the first team so far this summer.

JB Burton and Darius Riley will be two playmakers to keep an eye on for the Panthers this season, but Nickles says they're still looking for a pass-catcher to emerge.

Defensively, Nickles says they'll be as young as they've been in quite some time.

"I think early it's getting better, are we getting better each and every week, and are we improving on the practice f

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