Panthers face tough test in Week 1

MT. PLEASANT - At the start of the 2019 season, the Mt. Pleasant football team went in to Tiffin and upset then 10th-ranked Clear Creek-Amana 42-20 on their own home field. Now, one year later, the Panthers will try and make it two in a row against the Clippers.

CCA doesn't enter the 2020 season ranked, but they did receive votes in the Class 3A Gazette preseason poll.

Mt. Pleasant will be relying on the leadership of their big offensive line, led by returning starters Cooper Pullis, Henry Lutovsky and Nick Holtkamp, as well as an experienced group of skill-players. Jack Johnson will take over as the quarterback, making his first start behind center. He scored two of the Panthers' four rushing touchdowns in the Panthers' win over CCA last season.

Mt. Pleasant also will try to use a senior-led backfield, which includes Klayton Kleinkopf, Griffen Molle, Mitchell Moothart and Avery Scandridge.

Senior receiver Chase Williamson, who caught three passes for 47 yards and a touchdown in the Panthers' game against CCA last season, will look to step up as the top receiving option. Joining him will be returning starters Brevin Wilson and Brennen Bender, at wide receiver and tight end respectively.

CCA brings back a huge portion of their 2020 squad, including defensive superstar T.J. Bollers. Bollers, a University of Wisconsin commit, had a team-leading 6.5 tackles against the Panthers last season.

Also returning for CCA is starting quarterback Ryan Navara, who threw for 1,249 yards, 12 touchdowns and five interceptions, as well as top running back Alex Figueroa, who went for 681 yards and six scores in 2019.

The Clippers return four pass-catchers who had over 200 yards receiving last season. Leading the way is Tom Johnson, who caught 19 passes for 287 yards and a touchdown in 2019.

This will be the fifth matchup between CCA and Mt. Pleasant in as many years. The two teams have split the series, with Mt. Pleasant winning in 2017 and 2019 and CCA taking the cake in 2016 and 2018.

Friday night's game will be the last Panther home game before a two-week road trip to Tipton and Fairfield. The next time Mt. Pleasant takes their home field after Friday, it will be a homecoming showdown against Washington.