Carolina makes fifth straight playoff appearance
By "Bucky Katz"

Playoffs 2108 (Charlotte) - After a 5-5 start, many thought the Carolina Panthers would be sitting home during the USAFL playoffs this year. But the veteran Panthers pulled it together at the end of the season to make their fifth straight playoff appearance.

Although the Panthers aren't favored to go far in the playoffs, facing 13-1 Philadelphia and the incredible Chicago Bears looming even if they happen to get by the first challenge, many in the Panthers camp think their experience in the post-season may serve them well to meet those challenges.

'We have a lot of guys who's been there, done that,' quarterback Kevin Jones commented on media day. 'I think people look at the other team's stats and count us out, but I remember people doing that the year after we won the Sundby Cup too and we made it to the final four.'

After a season that had the ghost of the old 2D commercial pitch woman Clara Peller yelling 'Where's the offense?' during the first ten games, it then showed more signs of life as the Panthers scored over 30 points in three of the final four games.

Many have hinted there might be some changes on this squad in the off season as they sputtered coming out of the gate this year. But the Panthers are out to prove that they aren't done being a league power yet, and they hope to have one more Sundby Cup run in them.