Mt. Pleasant, IA- The Panthers held their banquet last night celebrating their 4-5 season, their highest win total since 2020. A season full of memories to fondly remember and players to commemorate as the team also announced their Class 3A All-District 4 players as Mt. Pleasant had three players make the First Team and two players make the Second Team.
On the First Team for defense, Payton Walker and William Birdsell each earned a spot at the linebacker position. As the middle linebacker, Walker led the team with 75 tackles and 11.5 tackles for a loss. He also added a fumble recovery, an interception, and 1.5 sacks, which included a safety against Tipton.
The 33-24 win against Tipton, though not the first of the season, gave Mt. Pleasant their first win at Bob Evans Field in 1,428 days or since October 16th, 2020. The Panthers won every facet of the game, including a fine game from senior quarterback Zach Newton (151 passing yards and a passing touchdown).
Walker also added 519 total yards on offense with a team leading seven rushing touchdowns for the season. Two of those touchdowns were against Fairfield in the opening game of the season. An overtime thriller, which ended the Panthers 23-game losing streak.
Birdsell was a constant nuisance in the backfield, tallying 11 tackles for a loss with 3.5 sacks as he finished tied for third on the team with 32.5 total tackles. The senior also blocked a punt, which turned the tide in Mt. Pleasant’s comeback victory against Fort Madison in week 8.
This game involved a game-winning field goal from Dylan White, the second time this season he nailed a kick to give the Panthers a win. It also marked the first time since 2019 that the Panthers had come out victorious against the Bloodhounds.
Nolan Frueh was the last member of the First Team for the Panthers, earning a spot on the offensive line. Frueh helped clear the path for a Mt. Pleasant rushing attack that gained 1,279 yards and scored 17 touchdowns on the season, their best marks since 2020.
On the Second Team was junior offensive guard Kellen Kohorst, who also nabbed an interception on defense, as he helped lead the Panthers at the line of scrimmage and Ramzy Davis, the junior running back and defensive back.
Davis had recorded two carries for five yards through the first four games; the junior got the starting spot in week five and never looked back as he accumulated 245 yards and six rushing touchdowns in a three-week span. He finished the season with 312 yards and an interception on defense.
Avin Truong was the leading receiver with 232 yards off of nine receptions and a 46-yard touchdown. Senior Lou Schimmelpfennig also caught a touchdown along with sophomore Merrick Lamm.
The only win yet to be discussed is Zach Newton’s greatest performance in his Panther career. The senior signal caller kept his team under control despite a three-possession deficit in the first half.
Nevertheless, Keokuk held a 27 to 21 lead entering the fourth quarter after a couple clutch defensive stops by Mt. Pleasant. Yet, Mt. Pleasant found a way to score twice and recover two onside kicks to win 34-27. Newton passed for 81 yards and rushed for 139 yards and two scores.
Head coach John Bowlin’s squad had a lot to prove this season and they delivered. Expect the Panthers to continue to build upon this year’s success heading into 2025 and beyond.