Mt. Pleasant hosts Keokuk in final home game

The Mt. Pleasant football team will play its final home game of the season when its hosts Keokuk on Friday.

The Keokuk offense will be tough for the Panthers to tackle ?literally ? but Jensen?s hoping that?s exactly what the Mt. Pleasant defense will do.

?That?s kind of the trick ? going into the game, our goal, first and foremost, is to slow down their run game,? Jensen said.

On the ground, Keokuk (3-4 overall, 3-2 Class 3A District 7) is led by Trevor Roth, who has 636 yards and nine touchdowns despite missing some time with an injury. But he?s back on the field now, and as dangerous as ever ? last week, Roth rushed for a team-high 83 yards on 19 carries and scored two touchdowns in Keokuk?s 33-27 loss to the district?s top team, Williamsburg.

?We have to do everything we can to slow him down, or its going to be a long, long night,? Jensen said.

The Chiefs have another threat in Matt Nye, who has picked up 531 yards this season for six touchdowns.

Keokuk also has a strong passing game, led by quarterback Gabe Vandenberg, the brother of University of Iowa quarterback James Vandenberg.

He has thrown for 1,605 yards and 15 touchdowns this season with a competion percentage of 62.6.

Vandenberg?s top targets this season have been Dan Williams, who has 41 receptions for 514 yards and five touchdowns, and Darrion Sanders, who has 34 catches for 565 yards and six touchdowns.

?(Along with a good running game), they also have quick receivers for Vandenberg to throw to,? Jensen said. ?They?ve got a nice thing going down there. They?ll complete some passes, but we?re hoping to tackle them ? make them work their way down the field.?

The game will be a challenge for the Panthers, who are now 2-5 overall and 2-2 in District 7, but the last week of practice has been a good week of preparation.

?We had a good, fun week of practice, and we also told them that nobody?s going to mail in the rest of the season,? Jensen said. ?The kids responded well ? they?ve practiced hard.?

The Panthers also have the home crowd on their side for one last game.

?It?s the last home game of the season, the last one for seniors, so I think they?ll show up,? Jensen said. ?It?s also Parents? Night, and that?s always meant a lot to the kids.

?There are a few games you always remember ? your last one on your home field, your last one ever, and your homecoming game. You always remember those three.?

Kickoff for the Panthers? final home game is scheduled for 7:30 p.m.

Mt. Pleasant Panthers? starting lineup

Offense

Position: Name,   Ht.,  Wt.,    Class

QB:  Connor Shull,  6-1, 175, Senior

TB:  Josh Larson,  5-9, 160, Junior

FB:  Carson Remick,  5-11, 190, Junior

WR:  Dalton Conrad,  5-10, 140, Senior

WR:  Alex O?Donnell,  5-9, 162, Senior

WR:  Dustin Amos,  6-3, 176, Junior

LT:  Emmett Wester,  6-3, 252, Senior

LG:  Justin Dunn,  6-3, 230, Senior

C:  Jackson Kelley,  6-4, 297, Soph.

RG:  Colton Aplara,  6-1, 215, Senior

RT:  Matt Scudder,  6-2, 209, Junior

Kicker: Liam Clancy,  6-0, 165, Senior

Defense

Position: Name,   Ht.,  Wt.,  Class

LE:  Colton Aplara,  6-1, 215, Senior

LT:  Alex Nunez,  5-7, 210, Junior

RT:  Emmett Wester,  6-3, 252, Senior

RE:  Justin Dunn,  6-3, 230, Senior

MLB:  Justin Dilks,  6-2, 202, Junior

WLB:  Carson Remick,  5-11, 190, Junior

SLB:  Josh Larson,  5-9, 160, Junior

C:  Alex O?Donnell,  5-9, 162, Senior

C:  Lee Davis,  5-10, 153, Senior

S:  Dustin Amos,  6-3, 176, Junior

S:  Tony Cristoforo,  5-11, 152, Soph.

Punter: Alex O?Donnell,  5-9, 162, Senior