Football to face Raiders in tough game two

For the Panthers? first week, Head Football Coach Bob Jensen didn?t know what to expect from his team, most of which was new to varsity football. This week, in the team?s home opener, he?s looking for a solid performance as the team tackles even tougher competition.

?I hope to show up and play a solid game again,? he said. ?We made mistakes, but I hope we can improve from week one. We?ll have to be better.?

To open the season last Friday, an outstanding performance from running back Donnie Johnson helped Mt. Pleasant to a 28-16 victory over Clear Creek-Amana, a team that made the second round of postseason play last year.

Tomorrow the Panthers will once again clash against non-District competition as they take on the Williamsburg Raiders, the team that knocked CC-A out of the playoffs last season to make it as far as the quarterfinal round.

?They?re a real good team, a well-coached team,? Jensen said.

Last year when the Panthers traveled to Williamsburg, they lost 38-21. Williamsburg went on to finish the season 8-1 and was ranked sixth for Class 3A in the state of Iowa.

This season, Williamsburg plays without two key graduates: lineman Austin Blythe, who was named to the 2010 Class 3A All-State First Team by the Iowa Newspaper Association, and running back Brett Waughop, who was named to the Second Team. Waughop was responsible for 126 points on the season last year, eighth highest in the state for Class 3A.

But the team remains a tough opponent.

?The kids play hard, they?re strong kids. It?s just what we need in week two,? Jensen said.

In week two, the Raider team will be a particularly fierce opponent.

?Everyone says that you make the most improvement from week one to week two,? Jensen said. ?And they were good already last week.?

Last week, Williamsburg took a 34-7 victory against Center Point-Urbana.

For the Panthers to compete, each player will have to step up ? they know they can?t expect Johnson to play every game at the same level he played last week.

?Who knows? If he does (play like last week), we?ll be in real good shape. Maybe Donnie?s going to be like that for us ? he?s a real competitor,? Jensen said. ?But the kids know that other people will have to pick up the slack.?

Mt. Pleasant Panthers' starting lineup:

Offense

(Position: Name, weight, year)

Wide Receiver:  Dalton Conrad,  138, Junior

Wide Receiver:  Brandon Moorman, 166, Senior

Tight End:  Blake Vandenberg, 218, Senior

Tackle:  Nick Lyon,  207, Senior

Tackle:  Emmett Wester,  232, Junior

Guard:   Justin Dunn,  217, Junior

Guard:   Trey Jennings,  238, Senior

Center:  Jacob Miller,  220, Senior

Quarterback:  Ross Heitmeier,  164, Senior

Running back:  Donnie Johnson,  165, Senior

Running back:  Justin Dilks,  195, Sophomore

Kicker:  Liam Clancy,  155, Junior

Defense

(Position:  Name,   Weight,  Year)

End:   Nick Lyon, 207, Senior

End:   Blake Vandenberg, 218, Senior

Tackle:  Emmett Wester,  232, Junior

Tackle:  Jacob Dilks,  229, Junior

Linebacker:  Connor Shull,  175, Junior

Linebacker:  Carson Remick,  183, Sophomore

Linebacker:  Malachi Melville,  170, Senior

Cornerback:  Donnie Johnson,  165, Senior

Cornerback:  Brandon Moorman, 166, Senior

Safety:  Joey Vaughn,  141, Senior

Safety:  Ryan Schenk,  150, Senior

Punter:  Joey Vaughn,  141, Senior