Fall sports: Panthers eyeing a rebound season in 2011

With Joe Donovan at the helm in his inaugural season at Pekin last fall, the Panthers tumbled to a 2-6 record and suffered their first losing season in nearly 50 years.

However, the deck was somewhat stacked against Pekin playing in a tough district with only three seniors on the entire roster. Now all of those underclassmen who gained valuable playing time in 2010 are back to right the ship.

?We have to get back to where we?re competing for district titles. That?s what everyone expects, that?s what we expect,? Donovan said. ?Expectations don?t change from what Pekin has done in the past.?

The benefit can also be seen at the top of the ladder as Donovan himself, who is also the new Activities Director, has a year under his belt.

?Even after the football season, just getting the time with all the players ? they get to know me, and I get to know them,? he said. ?I?ve now had a full off season and a full summer, so it?s not just like we show up Aug. 1 for practice. It has been very beneficial.?

Graham Wittrock went back and forth for the quarterback position with Colton Swanson a year ago, but Wittrock, now entering his junior year, should handle the snaps for Pekin in 2011. As a sophomore, he was a solid dual-threat option and leads a group coming back that was responsible for 84 percent of the total offense in 2010.

?There?s no wondering what it?s going to be like on Friday night anymore,? said Donovan. ?Experience will help, and the kids who were all here last year are motivated to get things turned around.?

Swanson will move to the outside while Quinton Garrels ? last year?s break out star at running back ? the speedy Bryce Sines and sophomore Petie Clubb will join Wittrock in the backfield. Garrels led the team by a wide margin with 773 yards and 13 touchdowns on the ground last fall.

?Quinton, for a tall, lanky kid can really run with authority. Then if we can get the ball in Bryce?s hands, with his speed, he can be dangerous,? Donovan said. ?It?s a really good combination back there.?

Tyson Lamb will handle lead-blocking duties at fullback, and the tall, athletic Josh Sterling will return at tight end.

The front line also returns in tact, and from all preseason signs, may come together to form a cohesive group. Tater Clubb, Derek Morales, Bailey Donovan and Jacob Manley are all in their senior seasons and will try to provide running lanes for the talented backs.

?I can?t really say any of them are really outshining anyone else, so I look at line as more of a unit ? they can provide us with some success if they work together,? Donovan said.

Bailey Donovan will also take on the middle linebacker responsibility to allow Lamb to move to the outside and sophomore Eric Adam to fill in when needed and allow some flexibility. The defensive line will look much like it does on the other side of the ball while Eli Harper and Jordan Hagedon hope to lock down the sidelines.

?No one is really a dominating force, but that?s how we?re going to have to be. I feel good about the guys we have being able to make plays when they?re there,? Donovan added.

The Panthers will open the season Friday with its annual Backyard Brawl at home against Sigourney-Keota.