Panthers Ready for Red Bud
</element><element id="paragraph-1" type="body"><![CDATA[ Pinckneyville will go for their fourth victory in five tries against Red Bud Friday night, as the Panthers open their 2008 football season on the road.
Last year's game was a strange one, as the Panthers dropped a 24-22 heartbreaker at home on opening night to the Musketeers, after an overnight rain delay pushed the conclusion of the game until the following morning.
A failed two-point conversion was all that stood between the Panthers and a victory, and ultimately a trip to the playoffs in 2007.
Ryan Rushing used his exceptional speed to run for 179 yards against the Musketeers last season, and T. Rushing points out that his team won't be sluggish on foot this year either.
"Nathan (Morton)'s not as explosive, but he's got good speed," noted T. Rushing, referring to the junior stepping in under center at quarterback for the Panthers to begin '08.
The backfield also has a couple of speedy newcomers as well in Ben Harris and Bryant Lively.
"Ben (Harriss) is a very good runner, he's a shifty runner," said T. Rushing, adding "he was running an 11.4 (sec.) 100m as a sophomore."
"Bryant (Lively)'s tall, has great speed, and just missed qualifying for state in the 200m as a junior last year."
One of the biggest mental obstacles for the Panthers to overcome early on will be getting a victory for this senior class.
"I think they need that first one," T. Rushing said, "because no matter what they tell you, if you've never won, that's always in the back of your mind."
After a loss to the Musketeers kept the Panthers out of the postseason in '07, T. Rushing knows the importance of getting a win in week one, but says his team also could use the confidence boost.
"I think the first two games are very important for them, that they have some success and get some much-needed confidence."
The Panthers and Musketeers kick off the 2008 season Friday night in Red Bud at 7:00 p.m.
E-T HOSTS FAIRFIELD
Fairfield, expected to be one of the contenders for top honors in the Black Diamond Conference, pays a visit to isom Field at 7 p.m. Friday.
Elverado-Trico debuts under new head coach Duffy Sanders, returning six starters from last fall's 1-8 team.
Running back John McCaleb returns as the leading rusher from last season as Sanders employs a run-oriented attack.
CIVIC MEMORIAL @ DU QUOIN
Friday look for an in-depth preview of the battle between the 7th-ranked Du Quoin Indians and Bethalto Civic Memorial.