Panthers anchored by offensive line

MT. PLEASANT - If you want to be successful in the game of football, you've got to win some battles in the trenches, and there aren't many teams who win more of those than Mt. Pleasant.

The Panthers come in to the 2020 campaign with one of the top offensive lines in Southeast Iowa, thanks to a mix of age, experience and sheer size.

Mt. Pleasant's two most experienced O-linemen are also its two biggest. Senior guard Henry Lutovsky and senior tackle Cooper Pullis both stand over six-foot tall, and the two combine for over 600 pounds.

Lutovsky is listed at six-foot, six-inches and 335 pounds. He is the most decorated Panther, receiving a handful of Division I offers before eventually committing to Nebraska University last school year. Before committing, Lutovsky received buzz from Iowa, Iowa State, Georgia, Mizzou and others.

Lutovsky's college decision was a big weight on his broad shoulders during last season's school year. He says now he can focus on the task at hand this fall. 'I think this year I can just focus on getting better,” Lutovsky says. 'It's going to be a lot less hectic on the weekends, running around everywhere. I think now is just a great time for me to grow, as a person and an athlete.”

He and Pullis are the only two offensive linemen who have started for multiple years. Pullis stands at six-foot, one-inch and is listed at 290 pounds, and has been getting college offers as well.

Along with Lutovsky and Pullis, Mt. Pleasant brings back Nicholas Holtkamp, another senior who started at guard last season. and the vast majority of players competing for the remaining spots are also upperclassmen.

'I think seniors will primarily take much of the depth,” says Lutovsky. 'Cooper, Nick and I are all returning, and then you've got guys like Jack Schimmelpfennig, Chase Adams, Sam Carrasco, Lincoln Henriksen, who's a junior. Those are some guys who I think will step up and be a big part of it.”

Mt. Pleasant's losses on the offensive line were center Brett Baccam and Keegan Kohorst, both smaller offensive linemen but leaders for the Panther team.

Pullis says a big factor in having an older and more experienced line is an edge on the mental side of things. He says knowing the system is a major part of being a successful front five.

'Really the biggest thing we bring back is knowing the plays,” Pullis says. 'A lot of the times, younger guys are good athletes, but knowing the plays gets them slowed down, and they aren't always 100 percent ready to play.”

Lutovsky echoed that thought. He says part of being an offensive lineman is learning from the guys standing beside you.

'It's one of those positions where, if you don't know what's going on, you can just ask your buddy,” says Lutovsky. 'If your brother has seen these plays for the last three years, that is huge, because they're just another coach, really. We all try to coach each other up.”

The offensive line helped aid the Mt. Pleasant to a huge year in 2020. The Panthers scored 30 or more points in all six of their wins and one of their losses. The Panthers combined for over 3,500 yards and came one win away from the playoffs.

Other local coaches have already taken notice of Mt. Pleasant's prowess up front. Washington coach James Harris knows his team will have their hands full with the Panther front five.

'Mt. Pleasant will have one of the biggest and best offensive lines in the state,” Harris said.

According to Lutovsky, who joined Pullis on the left side of the line last season, this year's group also benefits from being a tight-knit bunch.

'I think we're a really close group, just as friends.” Lutovsky says. 'We all really know each other well, which I think is a big thing on the offensive line. We've definitely got the talent, so I think once we sort a few things out and kind of get going a little bit, I think we'll be one of the best offensive lines in the state.”