FOOTBALL: Pioneer Panthers 2026 season preview
· Yahoo Sports
The Pioneer Panthers graduated a senior class that led them to the Class 1A state championship game a year ago.
The question is after heavy losses to graduation, can the Panthers keep running like a well-oiled machine?
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It appears the answer is yes when considering the amount of talent they have coming back and the upcoming players they have available.
The Panthers were a four-headed monster a year ago and they return two of the four members of the starting backfield: senior Shiloh Rine (6-1, 188) and junior Phillip McFatridge (5-9, 162). Both gained over 1,000 yards last year despite being the third and fourth options. They’ll return to their wingback positions and will likely have bigger roles this year.
“They weren’t necessarily our go-to guys with (Noah) Van Meter and Micah (Rans), but they definitely showed they had that play-making ability,” Pioneer coach Adam Berry said. “They’ll be more of that focal point for us this year being the upperclassmen, being the leaders of the team. Both were very committed to the offseason and are just that much stronger, that much quicker. And they can also show that they have good hands. So we are looking for them to definitely be the leaders of our offense this year.”
Micah Rans was the straw that stirred the Panthers’ drink a year ago and he was their 18th All-Star in football this summer.
Their new quarterback will be a freshman but he’s a talented one in Colton Popejoy (5-10, 186).
“He definitely has experience with football,” Berry said. “He loves football. But he’s still pretty new to the wing-T system. But here early on in August with the summertime he has really picked up on it fast and we are excited to see what he can do. With any freshman, there are going to be some growing pains. So we just know he is just going to keep improving day by day. He asks a lot of questions and he wants to be a great player.”
Last year the Panthers were a very run-oriented team but they might put the ball in the air more this year.
“Every year I always say we’re gonna throw it more,” Berry said. “But we have to be able to do it. So far it’s looked pretty good in the summer and here early on in fall camp. He can throw it. We have some guys that are pretty good route runners, have some good hands. So we are looking to be more balanced in that aspect this year.”
The Panthers have three options at fullback, with sophomore Braxton Maciejewski (5-9, 170), junior Colten Long (5-7, 160) and senior Blu Rosen-Jacks (6-1, 198) in the mix.
“Braxton Maciejewski has kind of emerged as probably that No. 1 fullback,” Berry said.
Backup wingbacks include junior Gage Lakes (5-7, 142) and senior Jason Gluth (5-6, 150). The wide receivers are seniors Carter Mize (5-9, 165) and Archie Blickenstaff (6-3, 161). The tight ends are sophomores Chase Van Meter (5-10, 175) and Adric Lee (6-3, 225).
Berry said the Panthers have some question marks in regards to the starters on the offensive line and that the starters could change depending on who had a better week of practice.
They return two starters on the O-line, as senior Mikaden Tolosa (5-8, 206) returns at guard and senior Blair Burns (6-1, 208) will play tackle or center. Junior Ronnie Layer (5-7, 199) and senior Hunter Stover (5-6, 189) rotated in some last year. Other options include senior Kaidyn Wiles (6-4, 285), sophomore Wyatt Wiles (6-1, 178) and freshman Clayton Schmicker (6-1, 262). Junior Colton Hopper (6-6, 277) is competing for the starting center spot.
Tolosa returns on the defensive line as an all-state performer. Rosen-Jacks, Wyatt Wiles and junior Collin Frye (5-9, 181) will join him on the D-line.
Colten Long, sophomore Kit Gotshall (5-11, 153) and senior Mason Shaver (6-3, 210) are in the mix at inside linebacker. Hunter Stover is also in the mix for a starting role. The outside linebackers are Van Meter and Maciejewski.
Safeties Rine and McFatridge will also anchor the defense.
“Their chemistry just keeps getting better. This will be the third year together back there at the safety spot, so just looking for great things,” Berry said.
Gluth is a backup safety. Lakes, Mize and Blickenstaff are in the mix at cornerback.
“We feel like we’re gonna have some more speed on the defensive side of the ball this year,” Berry said.
McFatridge gives the Panthers a big leg as a kicker.
The Panthers enter the season ranked No. 2 in the Class 1A coaches’ poll, so the state coaches are not expecting a big dropoff.