The Mountain Grove Panthers football team showed off their new turf field to three South Central Association (SCA) squads last Friday night when they hosted the Jamboree.
Willow Springs, Thayer and Houston each participated in the annual scrimmage that features a limited number of plays for the offense, defense as well as JV teams.
The Panthers’ offense opened their Jamboree with Willow Springs. A counter run by Hollen Glenn for 32 yards set up a Brendan Rogers’ one yard touchdown run.
On their second drive that started from the Bears’ 40, quarterback Tyson Elliott hit Jace Dowden for a 40-yard touchdown pass.
The first team defense followed by giving up next to nothing on yardage. They picked up a pair of sacks and did not give a lot of room for the Bears’ offense to work with.
Mountain Grove then matched up with Thayer as the Panthers’ defense took on the Bobcats.
Thayer did march 40 yards on six plays to score a quick touchdown. They then struck again two plays later for a second touchdown.
Mountain Grove’s offense did not show too much of their playbook to Thayer and were unable to score.
The JV opened their match-up with Houston by scoring on Brayden Haughey’s 16-yard touchdown pass to Daiton Hook.
The varsity followed suit as Elliott first connected with Glenn for 22 yards. A couple of plays later, he went up high to Dowden, who came down with the ball in the end zone for a four yard touchdown.
In the defensive match-up between the Panthers and the Tigers, Mountain Grove held Houston to around just five yards of offense.
Preview of the season
The Panthers’ football team is poised to make a special postseason run this season as they return several key players from both sides of the ball.
Last year, the Panthers did not win their third game until they shut out Houston in week eight, Entering the postseason with a 3-6 record, Mountain Grove began to put things together in districts as they outscored Clinton and Ava, 95-22, in a pair of victories to reach the finals.
“We have high expectations, we have worked hard for it,” said Mountain Grove head coach Brandon Rodgers.
“We expect to play for a district championship, that’s the goal every year. “
On the offensive side of the ball, the Panthers return All-Conference quarterback Tyson Elliott and All-Conference wide receiver Hollen Glenn. Elliott threw for more than 1,600 yards and 17 touchdowns a season ago. Glenn had more than 500 yards receiving and seven touchdowns.
In the backfield, the Panthers will turn to Glenn, Trenton Bevan, Brendan Rogers, among others. Glenn rushed for more than 700 yards with six touchdowns a season ago. Meanwhile, Bevan picked up more than 450 yards rushing with five touchdowns.
Blocking for them will be All-Conference linemen Hunter Means. He will be joined up front by Dallas Lee.
All-Conference tight end Jase Dowden (senior) and All-Conference wide receiver Drew Vaughan also return. Vaughan had more than 400 yards receiving last season.
Defensively, the Panthers will need to continue the success they had late last season if they are going to be successful in 2021.
Last year, they gave up three touchdowns or less to eight of the 12 teams they played.
Senior Gavin Moore will anchor the defensive line as the All-Conference player had a team-high six sacks last year. Means had a team-high 80 tackles and four sacks on the defensive front a year ago. Brendan Rogers leads the linebackers as the All-Conference selection expects to once again play a key role defensively. All-Conference linebacker Wes Drew will also return.
The remaining list of returning seniors includes Colton Allen (TE/LB), Bryce Stenzel (WR/DB), Gus MacPherson (WR/DB), Brett Vandiver (RB/LB), Devon Barbe (OL/DL), Hunter Cooley (OL/DL) and Isaiah Schott (WR/DB/K). Isaiah Hellbusch is a newcomer as a senior to the squad.
Other returning juniors include Dakota Volner (OL/DL), Brock Byerly (OL/DL), Jakob Norman (WR/DB), Trevor Reese (OL/LB), James Maynard (OL/DL) and Ethan Boswell (OL/LB). Jake McDermitt is a key junior newcomer (RB/LB).
Other key players include Hoyt Mathews (K/OL/DL), Dalton Bishop (RB/LB), Kaden Richardson (OL/LB) and Deveyn Martin (RB/LB).
One special addition to this season is that the Panthers will get to play on their new turf field
“It is very exciting for our team and our community to have such a nice field and facility,” Rodgers said.
Rodgers did add that the turf does not require special shoes or cleats; however, no cleats can have metal in them.
On Friday, Aug. 27, the Panthers are heading to Fair Grove for a 7 p.m. contest. Their first home game is Friday, Sep. 3 at 7 p.m. against Caruthersville.
