Panthers look for 1st win

MT. PLEASANT — The Mt. Pleasant football team will return home on Friday night to take on Southeast Conference rival Burlington in a non-district game at Mapleleaf Athletic Complex.

The Panthers come into the game 0-3. Burlington is 1-2, having won its first game of the year last week against Keokuk.

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The Grayhounds defeated Keokuk 18-13 at Bracewell Stadium last week. Mt. Pleasant is coming off a 35-7 loss at Tipton.

Mt. Pleasant had a tough weekend, not only falling on the road but having quarterback Cooper Coleman get knocked out of the team’s road game, which forced running back Payton Walker to step in behind center.

Walker did find Jurha Turner on a 66-yard pass that went for the Panthers’ only Week-3 score.

Turner’s big play ability has been on display since Week 1. He has been a huge bright spot for the Panthers, taking four catches for 102 yards and two touchdowns this year, and also returning four kicks for 168 yards and a score. Turner has another special teams score on a fumble recovery.

Sophomore Jackson Newman has also scored for the Panthers on special teams. Newman has taken five returns for 150 yards and a score.

The offensive side of the ball hasn’t been putting up huge numbers this year, but the Panthers have found some success on the ground. Turner has rushed for 200 yards this year, and Walker has run for 123 yards and two scores.

If Walker is back behind center this week, he’ll likely be looking toward Turner on offense. Turner has caught four passes for 102 yards and two scores this season.

On defense, the Panthers will have to try and contain Burlington quarterback Gabe Robinson, who has burned defenses for 219 yards on the ground, 188 yards through the air and four total touchdowns this season.

Caden Schisel has rushed for 208 yards this year for the Grayhounds, although he has yet to score. Cam Horn has rushed for two touchdowns.

Salomon Cordero has the only Grayhound receiving touchdown of the year so far, a 15-yard grab.

The Panther offense will have to try to take care of the ball better after giving it away four times last week. Burlington has just three takeaways so far this season.