AMERICUS — The firing of Auburn offensive coordinator Tony Franklin came to no surprise of Americus-Sumter head football coach Mark Wilson.

The Panthers installed Franklin’s spread, no-huddle style of offense to start this summer. However, it didn’t last long.

After two games, including a 7-0 loss at Crisp County, Wilson said they scrapped the system and went back to what they had from last year.

Since then, the Panthers (2-3, 1-2 in 1-AAAA) have averaged 82 yards a game more, including 107 yards more on the ground.

“With Tony Franklin’s offense, we had wristbands. The kids knew what to do on a certain play, but they really didn’t know what to do on the play,” said Wilson. “(Auburn) wasn’t much for running the ball out of the gun. They’re more pass-happy, and we want to be more balanced.”

The Panthers hope to keep the offense balanced this week when Upson-Lee (0-5, 0-3) visits tonight.

With the change, Antavius Sims has been in control at quarterback. Sims has made the offense a bit more dangerous being a threat to run. Wilson said the biggest changes in switching offenses midseason were getting rid of the no-huddle and establishing the run. The Panthers had six total yards rushing the first two games.

“The last two weeks we’ve been able to move the ball a lot better,” said Wilson. “We put it back in the open week. The Lee County game, we were a lot more fluid, more in sync I guess. Then the first half last week, we had them reeling. We really ran it the way it needs to be done.”

The Panthers lost to No. 5 Thomas County Central last week 32-14. The game was tied at 7 before things fell apart. TCC blocked two punts and intercepted a pass that each led to scores.

Wilson said they’ve worked a lot on improving special teams play as well as getting more physical.

“It was real physical Tuesday. The more you hit each other, the tougher you get,” he said. “It will make them mentally tough, too. After they got a couple of special teams deals, we were not mentally tough to go through it. I think when you get in those tough situations that you pick it up a notch, and I don’t think we did.”

The Panthers are making sure to not overlook the winless Knights, who pushed Hardaway to the limit last week before falling 34-28. The Knights scored 21 points in their first four games, including one touchdown against No. 1 Westside Macon.

“They’ve had some tough luck,” said Wilson. “They’re quarterback’s (Derek Baughcum) been hurt. He played last week and they scored 28 against Hardaway. It was his first full week.

“And their running back (P.J. Searcy) is a big ol’ boy. He’s the biggest back we’ve played so far. We’ve got to be able to squeeze down, tackle low and lock up.”

Knights coach Tommy Watson is in his first year as head coach after running the offense the past seven seasons. He said they should be 2-3, but turnovers have hurt them. They had three last week against Hardaway, two of which ended drives in Hawks’ territory.