Panther football has numbers, talent to match

Last season, the Panthers took one step forward and earned a postseason bid.

Now, in Joe Donovan?s third year roaming the sidelines, the Panthers are looking to build off that success and take it one step further.

?As a program I do feel we are moving forward,? Donovan said. ?I thought our black-and-white scrimmage [Friday] looked the best it has in the last three years, I think we?re quickly catching up to our opponents and I?m excited for the season.?

Leading the charge will be none other than Quentin Garrels, Pekin?s senior workhorse who rumbled his way to nearly 1,500 yards last season. Garrels will continue to receive a heavy workload as the hammer that pounds away at opposing defenses.

?Quentin has been great for us, and I?d like to think he has set a little higher goal than 1,500 yards this year,? said Donovan.

Garrels will be joined by a veteran backfield that has left its head coach impressed.

Graham Wittrock returns for his third year at quarterback and will have plenty of weapons out wide, from tested senior wideout Eli Harper to newcomers Tayte Schoff and Cade Millikin, a former cross country standout. Brody Long, a 6-foot-3 tight end, will provide Wittrock with a big target down the middle.

Petie Clubb returns at fullback following a sophomore campaign in which he rushed for 363 yards, and junior Kolby Allsup also will receive carries to spell Garrels.

In addition, Clubb will take over at inside linebacker alongside senior Austyn Vogel and junior Eric Adam on the outside. Thomas Slaney and Jared Bond make up the core of an experienced defensive line along with Long and Nazareth Rambo.

The biggest question mark may be the offensive line, where Pekin was hit hardest this offseason. Bailey Donovan, Jacob Manley, Derek Morales and Tater Clubb have all graduated, and Donovan is hoping his new front line can gel in time for the season.

As for the change in scenery from Class 1A District 6 to Class A District 6, Donovan welcomes it.

?I think it?ll be good,? he said. ?It?s always nice to see fresh faces, and I think our team is looking forward to it.?

Despite the drop in class, the schedule is expected to be as unforgiving as ever, and the Panthers will have to prove their mettle from the start.

Class 2A?s Sigourney-Keota awaits the Panthers in the annual ?Backyard Brawl? rivalry game in Week 2, but Pekin?s toughest test might be in Week 3 against Lynnville-Sully. The Hawks open the season ranked No. 1 in Class A by some outlets after falling to eventual state champion Lisbon last season in the playoffs.

Other district opponents in Class A District 6 will be English Valleys, North Mahaska, BGM, Pleasantville, Southeast Warren and Montezuma.

Pekin opens the season Friday at home against New London.