(Guthrie Center, IA) — AC/GC and Panorama are close rivals and they open up the football season against one another tonight, coverage on KSOM.
The teams have been going in different directions in recent seasons — the Charges have won 36 games the last 4 seasons while the Panthers have only won 9 and were 1-7 last year.
AC/GC does lose their Senior QB Jathan South along with FB Mike Fuller. Head Coach Cody Matthewson had a competition for the quarterback spot and Senior Tommy Skram won the spot and will move from his wide receiver position which does not see the ball much in the Chargers triple option running attack. Skram admits it has been an adjustment learning his new position
Senior Joe Crawford returns in the backfield — last year the speedster had 991 yards rushing, averaged over 11 yards a carry and he is ready to take a more active role and be a leader
Up front, Senior Carter Richter will anchor an offensive line that will feature some new starters but “Richie” says everybody is coming together
On defense, Senior Xander Harwood led the team with 70.5 tackles at inside linebacker — he would have had more had he not missed a game with an injury. He says the D is ready to go
Panorama was unsettled at quarterback last season — three different guys took snaps because of injuries but Head Coach Charlie Lake will turn to Senior Gavin Lindstrom who began last season as the starter
Lake says he will use three different guys at tailback to start the season — Senior Austin Wagner had experience last season, Senior Blake Schwartz moves from Tight End and Senior Bryce Dawes was hurt most of last season. Lake says AC/GC will be a tough challenge but he cannot worry too much about his opponent
Panorama visits AC/GC — the game was moved to Thursday because of the Guthrie County Fair — kickoff at 7 pm, Pre Game at 6:30 on KSOM and Western Iowa Today TV.
Complete Interview with Panorama Head Coach Charlie Lake
