2021 PFN Team Preview: The Keystone Panthers @KeystoneFball @rsmithcomptech

Tagged under: Conference Previews, District 9, News

Billy Splain | July 14, 2021

Keystone Panthers PFN Page

PIAA District 9 – Class A
League: District 9 – Small School South
Stadium: Keystone Stadium

Head Coach Ryan Smith

@KeystoneFball

Assistant Coaches 
Jason Nellis,
Josh Albright,
Jon Beal,
Rick Atzeni,
Austin Ion,
Aurie Weaver,
Jason Best

2020 Season Record 4-2

2021 Schedule

DATE	OPPONENT	LOCATION	TIME/SCORE
08-27	vs. Redbank Valley (0-0) *	Keystone Stadium	7:00 pm
09-03	@ Port Allegany (0-0)	Gators Stadium	7:00 pm
09-10	vs. Brockway (0-0)	Keystone Stadium	7:00 pm
09-17	@ Cameron County (0-0)	Red Raider Football Complex	7:00 pm
09-24	vs. Bucktail (0-0)	Keystone Stadium	7:00 pm
10-02	@ Sheffield (0-0)	Wolverine Mountain	1:30 pm
10-08	vs. Union-AC Valley (0-0) *	Keystone Stadium	7:00 pm
10-15	@ Smethport (0-0)	Smethport Stadium	7:00 pm
10-22	vs. Elk County Catholic (0-0) *	Keystone Stadium	7:00 pm

* – denotes league game
(SCR) – denotes scrimmage

What are your expectations for your team this year? 
I am excited for this years team. We return many key starters in key positions. We need to try and come together as a team this summer to trust each other while doing battle. We would love to continue with another winning season and go deep into the playoffs. We ultimately want to reach and the win a district championship.

When your team is on offense, what are the keys to success? 
We need to be explosive on offense and be rhythm. We are looking to do new things this season and ulilize the speed we have been blessed with. We need to open holes and most importantly protect the QB so that we can advance the ball. We also need to learn that when the going gets tough, the tough get going. We also need to learn how to deal with adversity.

When your team is on defense, what are the keys to success? 
Our key to the defense will be our experience that we return. We return 7 of the 11 starters but many of the guys got a lot of experience in 2020. We need to get our nose to the football and not give up the big play. We need to react to the ball better this year in the secondary.

Key Starters Lost 
Nick Weaver,
Keenan Heeter,
Haden Peters,
Logan Sell,
Gavin Hogue,
Taylar Altman

Offensive Starters Returning
Sr. QB Bret Wingard 6-3, 180;
Sr. WR/S Zander McHenry 5-9 150;
SR. FB/LB Caleb Nellis 5-9 180;
SR. OL/DL Landon Hurrelbrink 5-11 220
SR. WR Ian Keth 5-10 155,
JR T Cole Henry 6-2 210,
SR. G Gunnar Heeter 6-0 200,
Sr. Nick Cosper TE/T 6-0 160

Defensive Starters Returning
Sr. S Zander McHenry 5-9 150;
SR. LB Caleb Nellis 5-9 180;
SR. DL Landon Hurrelbrink 5-11 220
SR. CB Ian Keth 5-10 155,
JR S. Tyler Albright 5-9 140,
JR CB Kyle Nellis 5-9 170,

Special Team Starters Returning
SR. Kicker Nick Cosper 6-0 160

Key Newcomers
So. OL/DL Brock Champluvier 6-3 280,
So. OL/LB Josh Beal,
So. QB/LB Rayce Weaver

Players we should keep an eye on? 
Bret Wingard,
Zander McHenry (2020 First Team All State Defensive Utility Player),
Kyle Nellis,
Tyler Albright,
Landon Hurrelbrink,
Brock Champluvier

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