PREVIEW: Panthers could match – or exceed – '21 finish


The Monticello varsity football team, first row from left: managers Hayden Hackney, Wyatt Wilson, Harris Hackney and Gavin Gogel. Second row: Gage Guilford, Cael Sampson, Nick Welter, Sawyer Brokaw, Connor Sauser, Jonah Luensman, Preston Ries and Peyton Schilling. Third row: Deacon Besler, Caden Sternhagen, Carson Cox, Ethan Ponder, Bryce Cleeton, Ian Taylor, Zach Yates, Adrian Graves, Christian Castillo and Kyler Husmann. Fourth row: assistant coaches Daniel Pike, Deron Hakert, Jamie Fuhrmeister, head coach Wes Wilson, and assistant coaches Jon Kyte, Greg Williams, Jason Jamison and Nathan Freeze. (Photo by Pete Temple)
FOOTBALL
By: 
Pete Temple
Express Sports Editor

   This year’s Monticello High School football team appears to have the chance to match its 2021 performance – and perhaps exceed it.

   The Panthers won the Class 2A, District 5 championship a year ago with a 4-1 record, went 7-3 overall, and reached the round of 16 in the state playoffs before falling.

   This fall, the Panthers return three all-state players, seven all-district players, and 16 letter-winners.

   “Our goal is to be 1-0 every week and put ourselves in a position to win a district title,” seventh-year head coach Wes Wilson said.

   Opponents are likely to focus in on returning second-team all-state quarterback/linebacker Preston Ries, now a junior who was second team all-state a year ago. Ries passed for 2,594 yards and 20 touchdowns last season, while rushing for 1,343 and 14 touchdowns. Defensively, the University of Iowa recruit led the team in tackles with 68.5, including 8.5 sacks.

   The Panthers figure to get plenty of points from senior placekicker Christian Castillo, who earned first-team all-state honors after going 6-for-7 in field goal attempts and 37-for-41 in extra point kicks.

   Tate Petersen was a third team all-state selection last year. The senior receiver/defensive back made six interceptions, and caught 60 passes for 810 yards and four touchdowns.

   “We have good depth at our skill positions,” Wilson said.

   Other returning all-district players are senior linebacker Gage Guilford, who made the first team; junior defensive back Peyton Schilling, and junior lineman Adrian Graves, both honorable mention selections.

   Also on the returning letter-winner list are seniors Caden Sternhagen, Connor Sauser, Elias Etzel, Deacon Besler, Gavin Fuhrmeister and Bryce Cleeton; and junior Cael Sampson.

   Senior running back/linebacker Dylan Roher and junior wide receiver/defensive back Conner Jordan are back this fall after missing last season, both with shoulder injuries. Junior lineman/linebacker A.J. Phelps will likely miss this season due to a knee injury.

   “Like most teams, we will need to stay healthy,” the coach said.

   Wilson said West Liberty, Northeast, Camanche and Anamosa figure to be the Panthers’ strongest district opponents.

   Also on the coaching staff are Jon Kyte, defensive coordinator; Nathan Freeze, special teams coordinator; varsity assistants Deron Hakert, Jamie Fuhrmeister and Jason Jamison; Greg Williams, head junior varsity coach; and Daniel Pike, JV offensive coordinator.

 

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