Panthers face Trojans in homecoming clash

MT. PLEASANT - For the first time in the 2019 football season, two of the area's big school teams will be meeting on the same field.

Fairfield and Mt. Pleasant will be head to head on Friday night when the Trojans head east to play the Panthers at MP homecoming. It's also the district opener for both teams as league play begins state-wide in classes A through 4A.

The hosting Panthers come into the game 3-1 and on a two-game tear that saw the maroon and gold outscore opponents 90-14.

The Panther offense continues to roll both through the air and on the ground. Brody Bender continues to play with a hot hand, throwing for 708 yards, 10 touchdowns and one interception so far this year. Rylan Seberg has caught 19 passes for 414 yards and five touchdowns, and both Logan Bass and Jack Johnson have eclipsed 300 yards on the ground, with Bass scoring five touchdowns and Johnson tallying four.

Since Mt. Pleasant's 55-20 loss to Pella in their only other home game this season, the Panthers have given up just two scores, both in garbage time. Central Lee and Ottumwa each put up points in the fourth quarter of blowout games.

On the other side, Fairfield's offense seems to be picking up. After being held under 10 points in their first two games, the Trojans scored 20 in each of the last two contests, though they're hunting for that first win.

Fairfield running back Leone Gichure had a bust out game last week, going for 170 yards and a touchdown in Grinnell, including an 80-yard dash to the end zone.

Although quarterback Carter Ferrel has had his trouble with the interception but this year, the Trojans are moving the ball through the air. He has thrown for 634 yards and three touchdowns. Favorite receiver Landon Kooiker has caught 11 passes for 147 yards and two scores.

Both teams were able to take the ball away on defense multiple times last week. Mt. Pleasant had three interceptions, two of which were by Brady Hall, and one fumble recovery.

Fairfield's Landen Schafer had two takeaways, a fumble recovery and an interception. Gichure picked off one pass as well.

Mt. Pleasant has taken the last two games from the Trojans, both in Fairfield. The Panthers won 35-17 last year and 27-0 in 2017. The last time the two teams met in Mt. Pleasant, Fairfield won a thriller, 35-28.

The action begins at 7:30 p.m., with the freshman game preceding.