COACH: Jeff Santee (5th year, 14-26).
LAST YEAR: 4-6.
RETURNING STARTERS: Phil Swisher (Sr., HB, 6-3, 220), Loic Guegan (Sr., WR/DB, 5-10, 160), Luis Escobar (Sr., CB/WR, 5-6, 170), Demetrius Kennedy (Sr., RB, 5-8, 165), River Addison (Jr., HB/OLB, 6-2, 205), Darren Burton (Sr., C, 5-11, 210), Theo Colucci (Sr., G, 5-11, 225), Amin Halimovic (Sr., ILB 6-1, 190), Logan Bock (Sr., ILB, 6-3, 205).
OTHERS TO WATCH: Maid Sirovona (Jr., DT, 6-1, 185), David Torres (Jr., G, 5-8, 215), T.J. Patterson (Sr., QB, 6-3, 185), Cole Somers (Jr., OLB, 6-1, 190).
DIVISION-I PROSPECTS: Patterson, Bock, Kennedy.
MUST-SEE GAME: Oct. 26 vs. Fairview.
STRENGTHS: The skill positions should make the Panthers as versatile on offense as they’ve been since current Northwestern quarterback Kain Colter was taking snaps and delivering the ball to the likes of Will Pericak (Colorado), Matthew Hanson (Harvard) and JB Hall (Adams State). The linebacking corps will lead the defense.
WEAKNESSES: The Panthers have plenty of experience to replace up front on both sides of the ball, and will be on the smaller side defensively.
SCHEDULE
Aug. 31 — GEORGE WASHINGTON, 7 p.m.
Sept. 7 — at Prairie View, 7 p.m.
Sept. 14 — POUDRE, 7 p.m.
Sept. 20 — BRIGHTON, 7 p.m.
Sept. 28 — POMONA*, 7 p.m.
Oct. 5 — RALSTON VALLEY*, 7 p.m.
Oct. 11 — at Arvada West*, North Area Athletic Complex, 6 p.m.
Oct. 18 — at Legacy*, North Stadium, 6 p.m.
Oct. 26 — FAIRVIEW*, 5:30 p.m.
Note: Home games upper case and at Recht Field. Asterisk indicates 5A North Metro League game.
Follow Josh on Twitter: @JoshLindenstein
