COLUMN: Panthers prominent in state stats

   Let’s talk stats, because the Monticello Panther fall sports teams are putting up some big ones this season.

   Certain Panthers are making their presence known across the state as the regular seasons of these teams wind down.

   In football, the state playoff-bound Panthers have some of the state’s leaders.

   It’s not surprising to see Preston Ries’ name repeatedly in the gobound.com list of statistical leaders in Class 2A. The future Iowa Hawkeye leads the class in touchdowns (rushing and passing combined) with 26, is second in passing yards with 1,335 (Tate Platte of Des Moines Christian has 1,538), is third in passing touchdowns with 15, is fifth in rushing yards with 829, is tied for fifth in rushing touchdowns with 11, and is tied for sixth in tackles with 52.5.

   Also high on the lists is senior Peyton Schilling, who is tied for first in receiving touchdowns with eight. He came into Friday’s game at Camanche leading the class in receiving yards, but after the Storm double-teamed him and held him to 21 yards, Schilling slipped to second in 2A with 636, 106 behind Jack Hansen of Greene County.

   Another Panther senior, Dylan Monk, is tied for fourth in sacks with four.

   Panthers are prominent in the lists of volleyball statistical leaders as well. Monticello is 3A in volleyball, but that doesn’t stop senior Jayden Kuper from being the class leader in kills with 338.

   Junior setter Mya Hansen is fifth in assists in 3A with 596. And in the dig department, senior Keziah McQuillen is eighth with 310.

   I would be remiss if I didn’t also mention the remarkable numbers being put up in football Class A by Maquoketa Valley senior Lance McShane.

   He leads all of Class A in six categories: rushing yards (1,555) all-purpose yards (1,616), touchdowns (26), rushing touchdowns (26), offensive touchdowns (26), and rushing attempts (146). Teammate Aiden Salow is fifth in the class in tackles-for-loss, with 11.5.

Pete’s picks

   Even when I win, I lose.

   I was feeling good about my pick last week of the Broncos to cover the spread against the Bears. But I checked back, and realized I needed Denver to win by 4, not 3.

   So it was my fourth straight week of going 1-2, for a season record of 4-8. The game I did pick correctly, the Bills covering against the Dolphins, resulted in a weird payoff of 92 cents. So my total losses are at $2.23 for the year. Good thing I have stuck to my 50-cents-per-game plan.

   My struggles, however, remind me of a long-ago quote that has stuck with me through the years:

   “Anybody can quit.”

   And I’m not going to.

   So here are this week’s attempts to get back in the game:

Cincinnati, -3.5 at Arizona

Indianapolis, -1.5 vs. Tennessee

N.Y. Jets, +2.5 at Denver