The Panthers are off and running on another promising season.  The Panthers are coming of a successful 2009 season finishing 12-1.  The Panthers won a conference championship and their first sectional championship in 3A before losing to eventual state champion West Lafayette in the regional.

Offense

The Panthers offense returns six starters from last season’s potent offense.  The backfield returns both slots, Colton Benedict and Max Widmyer.  Benedict had a fantastic junior campaign rushing for over 1,000 yards.  The fullback position will have big shoes to fill replacing another 1,000 yard rusher.  Jackson Bratcher and Gavin Pearson will share the carries at fullback.  The tandem is talented and should be able to replace the production from last season.  Tanner Day returns at Quarterback for his second season.  He will be a key to running the Panthers option offense.  Day has had a great offseason throwing the ball and looks quicker with some added strength.  Jody Gibbs returns as one of the receivers.  Gibbs is fast and hopes to be more consistent catching the ball.  He is a deep threat the can help loosen defenses for the running game.  

The biggest question marks are replacing three offensive lineman.  Matt Shonkwiler and Andrew Wieland return for their senior seasons to anchor the line.  Shonkwiler is in his third season as the starting tackle.  The guard positions are a hotly contested battle between Alex Combs, Cody Thompson and Seth Gressley.  Thompson and Combs both have varsity experience but on the defensive side.  The tackle position is being contested by seniors Joe Lincoln and Evan Thompson.  Boone Searles is retuning at tight end.  He is coming off an MVP performance this summer at the National Guard 7 on 7 tournament.  If the offensive line gels together quickly the offense should be explosive this season. 

Defense

The defense also returns 6 starters from a year ago.  The defensive line only needs to replace one starter.  Shonkwiler and Bratcher anchor a group that had a strong season last year.  Alex Combs showed he can play with a 10 tackle performance in the sectional semi-finals last season.  Combs, Tom Roush and Cameron Brooksher should provide enough depth to keep people fresh up front. 

The Thompson twins, Cody and Chase will anchor the end positions.  Cody had a stellar season last year while Chase saw a lot of action as a sub.  They have had a great offseason and will make it tough on opposing quarterbacks in the passing game. 

Searles and Pearson return at linebacker.  Pearson will move over to middle linebacker this season.   Austin Simison, Blane Smith, and Jacob Little are competing for the other spot.  If the defense is to have another strong year this position will need to be worked out soon.

The secondary returns only one starter.  Widmyer returns at safety for his senior campaign.   He will need to have a strong start to the season while the new corners are broken in.  Colton Benedict has locked down one corner spot while the other position is a battle between Smith, Cale Korporal, and Cody Clevenger.  Day will also see some time in the secondary as well.

Special teams

The Panthers had a great season in 2009 on special teams.  Day returns as the punter and kicker.  His abilities to change field position make it tough on other teams having to drive long fields. 

The return teams had a great year returning several for touchdown and giving the offense good field position.  Benedict and Widmyer return in this area.  Pearson and Korporal should help provide some depth to the position. 

Overview

The Panthers will go into the season ranked in the top 10.  They will be the preseason favorites to win the CIC.  The senior class has had a great career so far but would like to put their stamp on the Eastbrook program.  Look for the Panthers to have a strong year.  How good it will be will depend on how quickly the newcomers get establish themselves.