Panthers experience helps them dive deep into playoffs

PEKIN – They finished the year doing something that hasn’t been done in a decade, yet they still wanted more. 

The 2024 Pekin Panther football team had tremendous success on the gridiron this fall. They ended the season with an overall record of 8-2, as they were able to advance into the second round of the playoffs for just the first time since 2014. Still, a harsh ending to the season on the road to Madrid left a bitter taste on the Panther sidelines as they will try to move forward next season. 

“We took a lot of big steps forward this season,” said Klynt Weber, the head football coach for Pekin. “Ultimately we were able to put a trophy in the trophy case. That’s a milestone that hasn’t been done here for awhile. The juniors need to carry on the tradition that we started this year and remember how the end of the season felt.”

On both sides of the ball the Panthers were pretty fearsome this year. The Panthers were able to win their first four games of the season. 

The Panthers started off the season with back-to-back shutouts as they blanked both Cardinal (76-0) and Van Buren County (54-0) with home games. They then started off district play with a 54-10 win over Danville before blanking Columbus 48-0. 

The lone regular season setback came in week five when the Panthers battled eventual district champion, Lisbon in Lisbon. The Panthers rallied late in the game, but Lisbon was able to gain the eventual 28-15 victory. 

The Panthers bounced back with a 61-13 win over Highland, before closing out their home schedule with a 57-0 victory over Wapello. 

In the regular season finale the Panthers recorded their fifth shutout of the season with a 58-0 win. 

In the first round of the playoffs the Panthers overcame a first quarter deficit to down North Linn 28-20. 

That win sent Pekin to Madrid. Against the Tigers (who eventually made the semifinals) the Panthers had just too many opportunities escape them as they fell 33-0. 

Stat leaders for the Panthers: Passing: Will Adam- 74/126, 1,215 yards, 11 touchdowns, six int. Rushing: Will Adam - 110 carries, 936 yards, 15 touchdowns; Nolan Glick - 94 carries, 707 yards, 17 touchdowns. Receiving: Robert Brown - 29 catches, 514 yards, four touchdowns. Alijah Brock - 13 catches, 293 yards, five touchdowns. Tackles - Henry Adam, 59.5 total tackles, 32 solo, 2 sacks; Will Adam - 40.5 tackles, 21 solo; Riley Smith - 35.5 tackles, 16 solo, one sack, 1.5 tackle for loss; Landon Crow - 35 tackles, 16 solo.