Back-to-school, back-to-football: Panthers gear up for new season

Paris High Panthers Junior Football players hit the field for practice this last week as they prepare for the 2025 season.

George Le Gresley

Sports Reporter

Back-to-school means back-to-football at Paris High, where the Junior squad has hit the field early to sharpen skills and welcome new players from Grade 8.

The coaching staff, led by second-year and Paris High alumnus Mackie Fergus is excited about this year’s team roster. One key position for any football team is having an experienced quarterback, and Coach Fergus is happy to have one in Owen Stewart, who played with the Brantford Bisons this summer.

The junior squad will have its first taste of contact football when it plays a team from the Halton Board, Hayden Secondary School, in an exhibition game on September 5, starting at 1 pm. 

This year, the Paris Panthers will again have two home games on their home field. Everyone is welcome to bring their lawn chairs and blankets to sit on the hill, where the Paris Optimists will be barbecuing dogs and burgers and organizing a 50-50 draw for both the Junior and Senior games. Both games are on a Saturday and admission is free (the best entertainment price in Paris).

Mark your calendar for October 4 when St John’s is the visitor and October 18 when Assumption comes to town. Game times for the Juniors are 11 am, and the Seniors kick off at 1 pm.

One final note: If a student is interested in joining the football team, please get in touch with Coach Murchie at school.