Panthers look for first win against Chiefs

Mt. Pleasant and Keokuk are set to collide on the football field Friday night in a non-district bout in Keokuk.

It’s been a tough road thus far for both the Panthers (0-2) and Chiefs (0-2). Both squads are looking for their first win of the season.

Mt. Pleasant battled with Fairfield (1-1) and Washington (2-0) to begin the season. In those two losses the Panthers have a combined scoring total of 40, but have allowed 95 points.

The Panthers fell to Fairfield, 41-20, in the season opener and to Washington, 54-20, in week two.

While Mt. Pleasant struggled to contain its first two opponents, the Panthers were able to move the ball with an efficient air attack.

The Panther’s Jacob Richtman is among the top passers in Class 4A. He’s thrown 73 times this season, completing 52 for 450 yards and four touchdowns. His total completions lead the state. His passing yards is sixth best in Class 4A.

Richtman has a strong receiving corps around him. Wyatt Woodsmall leads the Panthers with 13 receptions for 159 yards and two touchdowns. Carter Amos has caught 15 passes for 127 yards. Garrett Cook has 10 receptions for 92 yards and one touchdown. Payton Hagans also has 10 receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown.

On the ground, Zerek Venghaus leads Mt. Pleasant with 17 carries for 88 yards and a touchdown. Hagans has 38 yards on the ground with a touchdown, Hayden Logan has 28 yards and Richtman has 22 yards thus far.

On defense, Bowen Davis leads with 9.5 total tackles. Jaden Bauer follows with nine.

Keokuk’s first two losses on the season came from the hands of Fort Madison (2-0) and Burlington (1-1).

The Chiefs fell to Fort Madison in a close 22-13 in their season opener. In their week two matchup, Keokuk lost to Burlington 35-21.

Keokuk is led from the quarterback position by the duo of Brenton Hoard and Lucas Swainey. The two have a combined 203 yards passing and just one touchdown.

Malachai Douglas leads the Chiefs in the rushing game. Douglas has rushed 30 times for 205 yards and two touchdowns. Swainey has 57 yards rushing and Hoard has 32 rushing yards along with two touchdowns.

Leading the Chiefs on the receiving end is Diego Garcia. He has eight receptions for 93 yards. Emerson Glasgow follows with 39 yards.

Liam O’Donnell has accumulated the most tackles for the Chiefs this season, sitting at 20.5 total.

Coming into Friday’s matchup, Mt. Pleasant leads the race and currently holds a 3-2 record in the two last five meetings. Keokuk downed Mt. Pleasant last season 31-21.

Friday’s game is set to begin 7:30 at Calvert Stadium in Keokuk.