Tradition-rich Pekin more familiar with district

PACKWOOD - The Pekin Panthers have a long and strong history of success in football that includes Class 1A state championships in 1982, 1983, 1998 and a runner-up finish in 1988 and 1997. The Panthers made the state quarterfinals in class A in 2013 and 2014.

Pekin made the class A playoffs in 2017 with an 8-1 record, but lost in the first round to Hudson.

The Panthers have won more games than they lost every year since going 5-5 in 2011. The 2010 record of 2-6 was the last losing season.

Last year, Pekin had an overall record of 5-4 and went 2-3 to place fourth in the six-team class A District 6. The three teams ahead of Pekin were district-winner Durant, second-place BGM and third-place Highland. All three qualified for the playoffs. Pekin was the highest ranked 5-4 team in the class according to the state's RPI formula, rating at No. 21 among the class's 62 teams.

Just one district team was the same as the previous year and that was Cardinal, but this year the Panthers will play the same teams as last year but the home games will be reversed.

Pekin won at Cardinal 53-0 last year and that will be this year's Homecoming opponent Sept. 27.

The season opener is a home battle against Sigourney-Keota, which was also 5-4 last season in Class 1A. SK won last year 31-12.

Next is a road game against Class 2A Mid-Prairie. The Golden Hawks were 3-6 last year when Pekin won at home 35-7.

The third game last year was a 28-21 loss at Mediapolis, which was 8-2 in 1A. Pekin plays the Bulldogs at home this year.

The last non-district game will be at Davis County. Pekin won at home 56-27.

Besides Cardinal, the only district victory last year was 62-22 over Belle Plaine.

The Panthers lost 23-21 at home to Highland and 28-13 on the road to BGM. The final game was a loss to Durant 35-7.

The full Pekin schedule is listed below with district games marked with an asterisk.

Aug. 30 vs. Sigourney-Keota

Sept. 6 at Mid-Prairie

Sep. 13 vs. Mediapolis

Sept. 20 at Davis County

Sept. 27 vs. Cardinal* (Homecoming)

Oct. 4 at Highland*

Oct. 11 at BGM*

Oct. 18 vs. Belle Plaine*

Oct. 25 at Durant*