Panthers, Warriors set to clash Friday

For the handful of Warriors who have been playing football for the past three seasons, Sept. 18, 2009, probably felt like a bad nightmare come to life.

That day was the last time Van Buren matched up against Pekin, and it?s also the day they suffered a hard 90-0 loss to their rivals to the northwest.

Among the current Van Buren players who suited up in that game are senior wide receivers Colin Weaver, who caught two passes for 41 yards, and Zach Boyd, who, as a former quarterback, threw for 109 yards in that game. Both, as well as Mitchell Bartholomew and Mitchell Countryman, will be at quarterback Blake Scott?s disposal Friday.

Scott has been the Warriors? quarterback since Week 3, throwing for 255 yards and leading Van Buren on the ground with 91 yards. Last week in a 53-6 loss to Alburnett, the senior completed 12-of-25 passes for 141 yards and scrambled into the end zone for the Warriors? only touchdown.

Defensively, Van Buren is led by Zach Corman, who has made 49 total stops and recovered two fumbles in 2011. Corman will need some help on a defensive unit that has struggled to stop the rush if they hope to contend with Pekin.

Stopping the Panthers on the ground will be easier said than done, though, as Pekin boasts a strong rushing game. Quentin Garrels has led all Panther rushers with 381 yards and five touchdowns, while Bryce Sines has averaged 11.5 yards per carry and is a prolific receiver.

Also in the backfield for the Panthers will be Graham Wittrock, who last week threw for more than 200 yards with two touchdowns in an 34-18 loss to West Branch.

Pekin head coach Joe Donovan believes his team will succeed as long as they play a physical game and get out to an early lead.

?I really think we have to come out on the opening kickoff and establish our presence this week,? said Donovan. ?We need to execute early, and hopefully we?ll have a good game.?

Kickoff for Pekin?s homecoming game is slated for 7 p.m. in Packwood.