Panthers return home

MT. PLEASANT - The Mt. Pleasant football team knew it was in for an uphill climb last week when they traveled to Fort Madison short-handed. After having the previous week's game at Keokuk postponed for precautionary reasons due to a COVID-19 outbreak, the Panthers were beaten 44-7 with a few big names still sidelined due to the quarantine.

This week, the Panthers should be at least mostly back to their regular lineup, and Burlington might be just the opponent the doctor ordered to get the team back on track. Mt. Pleasant (2-3) will take on Burlington (1-4) in a Highway 34 battle.

The Panthers started the season 2-1, and came within two scores of No. 5 (3A) Washington at Homecoming, but the two-week layoff wasn't kind. The loss to Fort Madison was the first time this season they scored less than 20 points.

Despite playing in only four games, quarterback Jack Johnson still has great numbers. He has thrown for 605 passing yards and five touchdowns, and also leads the rushing game by a large margin, running for 619 yards and eight scores.

Receiver Chase Williamson has caught 18 passes for 619 yards, but the senior still hasn't found the end zone. The Panthers also don't have a running back above 100 yards rushing, but perhaps it is coming out week against a Grayhound defense that has been blistered over the last two weeks.

Burlington has given up two monster performances to opposing offenses in its last two games. Fort Madison dumped Burlington 55-7, and Washington blasted the Grayhounds 69-0.

The Grayhound offense has scored just 33 points all season. Burlington has only scored over seven points in a game one time, a 16-15 win over Fairfield in Week 4.

Burlington does boast two separate players with over 200 yards rushing. Ronald Sheard has rushed for 230 yards this season, and Kanyae Baker has run for 249 yards and one touchdown.

The Grayhound passing game has been shaky all year. Baker is 5-for-17 with 27 yards and four interceptions this season, and Nolan Simpson is 4-for-13 for 47 yards passing and two picks.

Despite being just 30 minutes apart, Friday night's game will be the first time Mt. Pleasant played Burlington in football in over 50 years. Their last recorded meeting was in 1957, a game Mt. Pleasant won 16-13.