PANORA — The “P’s” are plentiful for Panorama pigskin, as the Panther program is primed for a prolonged penetration in the playoffs.
The “O” and the “D” are both responsible for such expectations, as a total of 12 returning All-District players return to spark an offense that accounted to 2,558 total yards, 33 touchdowns and 263 points. Those players also empower a defense that yielded just 113 points while recovering 16 fumbles and making 13 interceptions, four of which were returned for scores.
The Panthers finished 8-2 overall last year, and while several top receivers and jack-of-all-trades Luke South will be missed, head coach Mike Kauzlarich has no shortage of veteran talent on hand.
He will need it, as the schedule is a tough one, beginning Friday with a visit from 2019 Class A runner-up Grundy Center. A Sept. 4 visit to Clarinda will cap the two-week non-district portion of the Panther slate.
Panorama is a member of District 8, as are familiar foes AC/GC, Van Meter, West Central Valley, and Woodward-Granger along with Kuemper Catholic.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, teams are playing only a seven-week regular season, with all teams qualifying for the playoffs, regardless of record.
Obviously the better record a team posts the more favorable the initial postseason draw, placing emphasis on strong performances each week.
The returns of quarterback Dominic Walker will help. He passed for 1,313 yards and 11 scores last year while adding 334 rushing yards and eight TDs.
Lucas Leiferman caught 13 passes for 102 yards and made two interceptions on defense, with Jack Weinkoetz pulling in 12 aerials for 139 yards while Evan Taylor caught 10 balls for 242 yards and three TDs.
Junior Austin Block is the top returning rusher after against 100 yards on 20 hauls. He will benefit from a powerful offensive line anchored by juniors Jared Wasson and Trent Hambleton. Cooper Anderson and Wyatt Appleseth are among others who will man the trenches.
The Panther defense has the potential to be scary good. Linebackers Drew Taylor (senior) and Evan Taylor (junior) are back. The former recorded 55 tackles, 11 tackles for loss and three sacks in 2019, with the latter making 37.5 stops, with four for loss to go with three sacks and two INTs.
Hambleton and Appleseth are stout defenders as well, the Hambleton tallying 48 tackles and four INTs while Appleseth had 41.5 tackles, 10 stops for loss, four sacks, three fumble recoveries and one interception.
Secondary players Preston Walker (37.5 tackles, three for loss) and Zach Rizzuti (17.5 denials and three INTs) will help provide a solid back wall, with Anderson among those making the defensive front hard to move off the ball.
“There will be challenges for us for sure, beginning right off the bat,” Kauzlarich said. “Our goal will be to improve each week and to be playing our best when the playoffs start. That is what everyone wants to do, of course, but I like our team and think we have a better chance than most to make a push if we can stay healthy and get better each week.”
