Pleasure Ridge Park (5-6)
Coach: Jason Hiser (eighth season, 47-36).
Starters back: Offense 6, defense 8.
Class: 6-A, District 3.
Player to watch: Senior running back Montae Robinson rushed for 717 yards and nine touchdowns on 90 carries last season and also led the Panthers in receiving (18 catches, 246 yards, three TDs). “He’s a very explosive and very tough running back,” Hiser said. “He has great speed as well.”
Other top players: RB/LB Kris Adams (Sr.), WR Michael Hopper (Jr.), TE/LB Garrett Lawrence (Sr.), RB/LB David Kinnison (Sr.), OL/LB Preston Sullivan (Sr.), RB/DE Jerimiah Parker (Sr.), DE Perreon Allen (Jr.), DB Bryson Washington (Jr.), DB Arrius Harris (Jr.).
Outlook: The Panthers return several key players from last year, and Hiser is confident the Panthers can improve on last year’s 5-6 mark. “We know we have a tough road with our schedule,” he said. “I think we showed last year we can compete with some of those teams. We just have to eliminate some of the mistakes we made.” A pair of juniors – Nick Elder and B.J. Robinson – are competing to start at quarterback. The running game should be a strength with Robinson and Adams carrying behind an offensive line that returns three starters. Kinnison is entering his fourth year as a starter and is the top returning tackler after posting 60 (29 solo) last season. Three juniors return in the secondary after getting extensive playing time as sophomores.
Schedule:
8/19 VALLEY
8/26 at Meade County
9/2 DOSS
9/9 at John Hardin
9/16 TRINITY
9/23 *at St. Xavier
9/29 *MALE
10/7 *BUTLER
10/14 *at Manual
10/28 CENTRAL
*-District game