by Geoff Fox
The 2026 football season is almost here for the Hancock Panthers and Coach Greg Cartrette is giving players and parents a heads up on dates leading up to opening night’s game against Berkeley Springs.
On Saturday, Augus 8, at 10 a.m., football equipment will be handed out to players who are coming out for the team.
That Wednesday, August 12, at 5 p.m. will be the first practice of the season and will be helmets only. 
A week before the season starts, the Panthers will have a scrimmage at Southern Garrett on Friday, August 28, at 6:15 p.m.
The season itself opens on Friday, September 4, at 6 p.m. against the Berkeley Springs Indians at Paul Imphong Field in Hancock.
All student-athletes must have a current physical and be registered on Family ID, which is now known as Arbiter, Cartrette said.
The website is go.arbitersports.com.
Cartrette said all parents and student-athletes can message him (Coach C) on the Remind app and send a text to 81010 and text this message – @hancockfoo to register.
Even if they were on the Remind App last year, Cartrette said the players would still need to resend to him to be added to this year’s team app on Remind.
