Panthers expecting better in Week 2

Last week, the Mt. Pleasant football team struggled through its home and season opener.

The Panthers let a few early errors break them down mentally, and dropped the game, 70-7, to Marion.

But that was last week.

They?re hoping that this week, at Ottumwa, will be better.

?We had things to work on this week on offense, defense and special teams, and we worked hard on all three phases ? starting with defense,? Coach Bob Jensen said.

The Panthers have put in a few new starters on defense.

?We made several changes in the lineup on defense and (changed) our scheme a little bit,? Jensen said.

But that?s not all they?ve been working on.

?On special teams, we worked hard on our coverage teams, punting in particialar,? Jensen said. ?Offensively, they?re forcing us to work on things ? we?ve got to move the ball.?

Overall, Jensen is happy with the improvement he?s seen.

?It?s been a good week,? he said. ?The kids are responding well, and I think we?ll be a lot better this week.?

This week the Panthers travel to play at Ottumwa.

The Bulldogs won?t make it easy for them. They are 1-1: after a Week Zero loss at home to West Des Moines Valley, 27-0, they rebounded with a 34-21 win at Keokuk.

The Ottumwa quarterback is Alex Goodwin, who has gone 25-for-49 in completions during the first two games for 287 yards and one touchdown.

His favorite target so far this season has been Kyle Keck, who has 12 receptions, including the touchdown catch, for 182 yards.

On the ground, the Bulldogs are led by Seth Griffiths, who has 34 carries for 209 yards and two touchdowns.

Defensively, four players are close in tackle totals for the Bulldogs: Chris Peden (23), Shawn Foster (21), Tyler Johns (21) and Logan McCarty (18).

However, like last week, the Panthers? focus will be on how they are playing, not on how Ottumwa is playing.

?Right now we?re focusing on ourselves,? Jensen said. ?Our focus is toughness, mental toughness, and our approcah to the game. We want to go over there and compete.?

Kickoff for the Week Two game is at 7:30 p.m.

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, 160, Senior

WR:  Dustin Amos,  6-3, 176, Junior

LT:  Emmett Wester,  6-3, 252, Senior

LG:  Alec Skubal,  5-10, 198, Junior

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:  Colten Moore,  5-9, 225, Junior

RT:  Emmett Wester,  6-3, 252, Senior

RE:  Justin Dunn,  6-3, 230, Senior

SLB:  Josh Larson,  5-9, 160, Junior

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

WLB:  Dustin Amos,  6-3, 176, Junior

C:  Alex O?Donnell,  5-9, 160, Senior

C:  Lee Davis,  5-10, 153, Senior

S:  Dalton Conrad,  5-10, 140, Senior

S:  Austin Smith,  5-8, 142, Soph.

Punter: Alex O?Donnell,  5-9, 160, Senior