Cubs set for Panthers

St. Mary’s Colgan High, one of the state’s perennial football powers, looked to be headed back to earth this season.
Returning only a single starter from last season, the Panthers also found themselves bumped up a class, playing in Kansas 3A for the first time.
But looks can be deceiving.
After starting the season at a modest 3-2, the Panthers have rallied to win four of their last five games, including Tuesday’s 34-20 win over Neodesha in the opening round of the 3A playoffs.
The win sets up a titanic matchup against Humboldt High, which is on a roll of its own. The Cubs have won four straight, all by at least 40 points. Most recently, the Cubs opened the playoffs with a 48-6 drubbing Tuesday of Central Heights.
Humboldt (8-2) and Colgan (7-3) will square off at 6 p.m. Saturday at Pittsburg’s Hutchinson Field.
Cub head coach K.B. Criss wasn’t fooled by Colgan’s early struggles.
“Colgan is Colgan,” Criss said. “Their team speed is excellent, and they’re very athletic.”
Moreso, the Panthers – under 33-year head coach Chuck Smith – play a disciplined, fundamental brand of football.
“They just don’t make mistakes,” Criss said. “They’re a tough, tough team. We’re going to have to be solid in all three phases of the game: offense, defense and special teams.”
Despite the heavy losses, Colgan still offers plenty of experience with its skill positions. Senior quarterback Dyson Dechant pilots the Panthers’ I-formation offense. Colgan’s leading rusher, Conner Dayton, also is a senior.
“They just never really have struggles like other teams do after they lose big graduating classes,” Criss said. “They don’t necessarily rebuild; they reload.”
 
STILL, CRISS is optimistic Humboldt has a squad that’s up to the Colgan challenge this year with, particularly with the Cubs’ high-octane passing game, and senior quarterback Nathan Whitcomb’s rapport with his stable of talented receivers.
How potent are the Cubs?
They racked up 48 points against Central Heights, while Whitcomb tossed for six touchdown passes, none going to the team’s leading receiver, speedster Tanner McNutt.
If anything, the Cubs have become even more diverse with their passing game.
Along with McNutt and 6-6 senior Noah Thornbrugh, Whitcomb is fond of targeting Blake Crawford, Trey Johnson, Alex or Hunter Murrow or, more recently, senior Hayden Boring.
When defenses key on the receivers, the Cubs have running back Jacob Carpenter to pick up the slack. His production has been steady all season.
“Colgan likes to blitz at times, so our blocking will have to be solid,” Criss said. “If we play the way we’re capable of playing, I like our chances.”