Mt. Pleasant takes on Washington

The Mt. Pleasant football team meets what will likely be its toughest opponent of the season on Friday night when it hosts No. 8 Washington.

The Demons are 5-1 this season, their only loss to No. 3 Pella in a non-district game.

Their main offensive weapon is running back Alex Coker, who has carried for 741 yards in 91 attempts (8.1 yards per carry) and scored 12 touchdowns for Washington this season.

?It?s obvious to me, to everyone, that their main goal is to run the ball,? Mt. Pleasant Coach Shawn Striegel said. ?We?d like to get them in a position where they?d have to throw it.?

The Panther will try to slow down the Demons with some extra help in the box ? but they know that Washington?s aerial game is still a threat.

?The problem is, they like to spread out a bit, so we can?t fill the box ? it leaves guys open, and they will throw the ball,? Striegel said.

Washington quarterback Daryn Seibelius has picked up 327 yards rushing this year and has 298 yards on 21-for-56 passing. He has four passing touchdowns and three rushing touchdowns.

Carl Sivels has 291 yards and has scored four times; Tanner Knupp has five touchdowns and 181 yards on the ground.

Knupp also leads Demon receivers with 72 yards on six catches. He is one of four Washington players with a touchdown reception.

He?s also key to the Demon defense, with 41 tackles on the year, including 13 tackles for loss and three sacks. Jeff Knupp leads the team with 43 tackles.

But overall, the Panthers refuse to be intimidated by their ranked rival.

?(We?re) the underdog ? the guys feel like they have nothing to lose,? Striegel said. ?They?re going out full force.?

Kickoff for the game is scheduled for around 7:30 p.m. at Mapleleaf Athletic Complex.

Mt. Pleasant starters

OFFENSE

Pos.:  Name,   Ht.,  Wt.,  Class

QB:  Dustin Amos,  6-3, 180, Senior

FB:  Carson Remick,  6-0, 190, Senior

TB:  Spencer White,  6-3, 175, Junior

WR:  Blake Knudsen,  5-11, 149, Senior

WR:   Cole Phillips,  5-11, 135, Junior

TE:  Justin Dilks,  6-3, 220, Senior

C:  Jackson Kelley,  6-6, 297, Junior

LG: Alex Nunez,  5-7, 200, Senior

RG:  Tyler Ruby,  6-2, 215, Junior

LT:  Matt Scudder,  6-2, 225, Senior

RT:  Justin Nichting,  6-4, 215, Senior

K:  Zoom Gwamna,  5-9, 160, Junior

DEFENSE

Pos.:  Name,   Ht., Wt.,  Class

LT:  Ben Canby,  6-1, 220, Junior

NG:  Keegan Pullis,  6-5, 238, Soph.

RT:  Alex Nunez,  5-7, 200, Senior

LB:  Justin Dilks,  6-3, 220, Senior

LB:  Dustin Amos,  6-3, 180, Senior

LB:  Carson Remick,  6-0, 190, Senior

LB:  Noah Brown,  5-11, 177, Junior

LB:  Austin Smith,  5-8, 155, Junior

LC:  Spencer White,  6-3, 175, Junior

RC:  Justin Chalupa,  5-9, 140, Senior

FS:  Beau Parkevich,  5-10, 144, Junior

P:  Ben Canby,  6-1, 220, Junior