Panthers host 3-0 clash

MT. PLEASANT — Mapleleaf Athletic Complex in Mt. Pleasant will play host to two of the hottest teams in Class 3A on Friday night, as the hosting Panthers welcome in Central Dewitt for a marquee non-district matchup.

The game is even more enticing when you consider where both teams were not too long ago.

The Panthers are on the ultimate come up. After winning just one total game in the previous three years, Mt. Pleasant won four games in 2024, and now the Panthers could be en route to its fourth in four games after going 3-0 for the first time since 2008.

Central DeWitt won just one game all last season, but the Sabres are 3-0 as well, and with three blowout wins.

Now, two schools that have risen from the ashes meet, with one team destined to go unbeaten into the district schedule.

Mt. Pleasant's defense has been stellar so far. The Panthers gave up just 22 points total in its first two games, and had Oskaloosa down 34-6 before two late Indian acores last Friday.

Grayson Walker has thrown for 450 yards in his first year as Mt. Pleasant starting quarterback. He has thrown three touchdown passes, two of which that landed in the hands of Isaiah Lange.

Ramzy Davis leads Mt. Pleasant with 175 rushing yards and six touchdowns. Griffin Jones has rushed for a couple of scores as well.

The Panthers will have to deal with Sabre quarterback Hudson Krukow, who has already thrown for 664 yards and 11 touchdowns.

Receivers Brady Meadows and Jameson Gregoire have combined for over 500 receiving yards and have caught nine of the team's 11 touchdowns through the air.

The game kicks off at 7:30 p.m. If you can't make it to the game, catch it live on the Southeast Iowa Video Network at Mount Pleasant Live