The Yellville-Summit Panthers are gearing up for the 2026 season with hopes of returning to the Arkansas State High School football playoffs. The team, led by third-year head coach Chaseton McCarthy, last reached the postseason in 2021 when they faced McCrory, according to state football historical records.
This year, McCarthy emphasizes leadership as a cornerstone of the Panthers’ goals for success. The team faces a competitive 3A-2 conference schedule, now including additional opponents such as Riverview, Marshall, and Newport. Despite finishing seventh in the league last year, McCarthy sees opportunities for improvement and more conference victories.
The Panthers recently showcased their potential during their annual Green and White intrasquad game, followed by a benefit scrimmage against Green Forest last Tuesday. Yellville-Summit dominated the first part of the varsity scrimmage with a 19-0 lead and ended the night ahead 32-14. McCarthy expressed satisfaction with the team’s effort and performance.
The Panthers will kick off their regular season on the road against Hector next Friday night, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. The junior high Panthers will also face Hector at home the night before, starting with a seventh and eighth-grade game at 5:30 p.m., followed by a junior varsity matchup at 6:30 p.m.
As McCarthy enters his third year at the helm, he remains focused on building a strong program and translating those efforts into success on the field.