Mount Pleasant set for top-five clash

Mount Pleasant found itself in a do-or-die situation before the postseason even started. The Panthers took their first lead of the game on the road at Fairfield with 1:50 left, and pulled out a 25-22 win to secure second place in Class 3A District 4.

After reaching the postseason for the first time in 15 years, the Panthers (7-2) were drawn into draw into Pod C of the 3A playoffs. They’ll face a road test against No. 4 West Delaware on Friday.

The Hawks (8-1) emerged from a stacked 3A District 2 in second place behind the No. 1 team in 3A, Clear Lake. West Delaware’s lone loss was a 28-0 defeat to the Lions.

West Delaware’s offense is powered by a deep and dynamic rushing attack. 36 of the Hawks 47 touchdowns this season have come on the ground, which is the most in Class 3A.

Senior Jack Cantwell leads West Delaware with 902 rushing yards and averages 10.1 yards per carry. Behind Cantwell, Austin Schnieders has 673 yards and Macoy Roling has racked up 604. All three players have rushed for 10 touchdowns.

Schnieders is also the Hawks primary quarterback. He’s completed 61 of 108 passes for 856 yards, nine touchdowns and five interceptions.

Mount Pleasant’s last matchup is particularly timely given West Delaware’s ability on the ground. The Hawks’ 2,612 rushing yards this season is second only to Fairfield. MP gave up 204 rushing yards Friday to a Trojans side that leaned even more on their ground game than usual after an injury to starting quarterback Voss Richardson.

The Panthers can look to limit West Delaware through the air by continuing to lean on their elite pass rush. Mount Pleasant ranks second in 3A with 31 sacks after adding two against Farifield.

Sophomore Isaiah Lange’s team-leading 13 sacks are the most in 3A and his 17.5 tackles for loss are tied for the third most. Lange also ranks second on the Panthers in total tackles with 37 tackles. Max Sloat leads the team with 51.5, while Jack Newman has also breached the 30 tackles mark this season.

The Panthers had a nice day on the ground themselves against Farifield. Ramzy Davis and Griffen Jones both had over 100 yards and combined for three touchdowns. Davis has sustained strong play as the lead back this season with 734 yards and 12 TDs. Jones is enjoying a breakout sophomore campaign with 377 yards and eight scores.

Sophomore quarterback Grayson Walker will be tasked with navigating the Panthers against the West Delaware defense. Walker has completed 72 of 115 passes for 993 yards and 10 touchdowns with three picks. Brody Clark, Kaden Schadt and Lange have all proven to be reliable targets. Each player has over 200 receiving yards, and the group has combined for seven touchdowns.

Mount Pleasant can also help itself Friday on special teams. Kicker Dylan White has made and attempted the most field goals among 3A players this season, having connected on 7 of 11 kicks with a long of 43 yards. In the return game, Jones leads all players in 3A with 493 yards and has returned a pair of kickoffs for touchdowns.

Kickoff between Mount Pleasant and West Delaware is set for 7 p.m. Friday on Brown Field at West Delaware High School. The victor will face the winner between Central DeWitt (7-2) and Wahlert Catholic (7-2).