The Carolina Panthers had a dismal season opener, losing 47-10 to the New Orleans Saints, marking a rough start for new coach Dave Canales and quarterback Bryce Young, who threw two interceptions and finished with a 32.8 quarterback rating. Despite offseason changes, including hiring Canales and upgrading the roster, the team showed little improvement from their previous poor season. Meanwhile, in high school football, the Midway Panthers had a strong home debut, defeating Cedar Ridge 44-14 under new head coach Joe Gillespie. Midway started fast with a 96-yard kickoff return for a touchdown and maintained their lead despite some third-quarter sloppiness. Both teams are looking to build on their early performances, with one seeking redemption and the other aiming to maintain momentum.