Panthers face huge test at North Scott

ELDRIDGE - The Mt. Pleasant football team looked fantastic in their first playoff game of the year, but they've got quite the test coming on Friday night as the Panthers travel to North Scott, a team ranked No. 8 in the Cedar Rapids Gazette poll and No. 9 in the Associated Press poll.

The Panthers will come into Friday's game at 4-3 having won their lsat two games in dominating fashion. North Scott is now 4-1 and like the Panthers, they have been playing their best football down the stretch.

If Mt. Pleasant beats North Scott, they'll be the first Class 3A team to do so. The Lancers have won every one of their Class 3A games, and their only loss was to Class 4A's Pleasant Valley.

Due to forfeits, the Lancers have only played two games since Sept. 11. North Scott buried Marion 38-0 and shut down Clinton 50-0 before its scheduled playoff game against Burlington, which the Grayhounds were forced to bow out of.

Mt. Pleasant will need to slow down a balanced North Scott offense if they are going to bring home a victory. Lancer quarterback Carter Markham has thrown for 490 yards and four touchdowns, and also ran for 173 yards and four scores. Running back Darnell Butler has rushed for 217 yards and two touchdowns, and receiver Jakob Nelson has caught 12 passes for 230 yards and a score.

Panther quarterback Jack Johnson has been as balanced as you can be this year. Johnson has thrown for 862 yards and seven touchdowns, and has ran for 843 yards and 11 scores. Receiver Chase Williamson is now up to 496 yards receiving and one touchdown after back-to-back big games.

The Panther defense has made a habit of taking the ball away this year. THey'll go into the North Scott game having picked off nine passes and recovered three fumbles. North Scott has seven take-aways, including six fumble recoveries. Lancer sophomore David Borchers has four fumble recoveries this year, which is tied for most in Class 3A.