Prep football 2024: Character-shaping loss has Bartlett High primed for a big season
Bartlett head coach Chris Smith questions a call by the referees late in the second quarter of play against Collierville in the Class 6A, Region 8 contest at Bartlett High School, Friday, Sept. 1, 2023. (Greg Campbell/Special for The Daily Memphian file)
As far as debuts go, Bartlett High School’s 2023 season-opener could hardly have been less auspicious.
The Panthers were making their debut under Chris Smith, fresh off a highly successful coaching stint at Haywood High in Brownsville. Smith brought with him a high-octane, fast-break offense — and the promise of some exciting football for the Bartlett faithful.
That faith was sorely tested though after Memphis University School ran out to an easy 37-0 victory. With a quarterback making his first varsity start and with the team’s best receiver injured, Bartlett’s attacked fizzled like a wet firecracker; the Panthers turned it over seven times as MUS scored all of its points in the first half before turning things over to the back-ups.
With another tough game against Lausanne coming up next — and a brutal Region 8-6A schedule following in short order — things could have gotten real ugly real fast. Instead, Bartlett reflected. And regrouped.
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TSSAA High School Football Bartlett High School Chris Smith Geron Johnson Subscriber Only2025 is almost over. Now is the time to support your trusted local news source.
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John Varlas
John Varlas is a lifelong Memphian who has covered high school sports in various capacities for over 20 years.
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