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  With a Plethora of Experience Back, Panthers Aim to Improve

  Following a, 4-5, season last year, Jerseyville has a bulk of their starters back for the 2010 football season. Two of those losses last season were by a touchdown, and a third loss was just a two touchdown deficit.

  The Panthers faced just three playoff teams in 2009, and lost all three of those contests. The offense averaged over 17 points per game, while the defense gave up just over 22 points per game. Jerseyville scored 20+ points in four games, but were shutout twice, and the defense gave up 30+ points three times, but held opponents to 21 points or less in six of their nine games.

  As for 2010, with a number of players returning to the field that saw time on last year's squad, the Panthers are aiming to build some team unity and improve on last year's four win season. "Looking to bond as a team and improve with each game," coach Gary Carter said.

  Eight starters are back on defense, led by a pair of 2nd team all-conference picks in the Mississippi Valley Conference. Luke Pohlman (5'9" 185 Sr. LB) tallied 59 tackles, and 3 sacks. Another 2nd team all-conference member, Connor Poglajen (6'1" 210 Sr. DE) notched 48 tackles and 2 sacks. Robby Miles (6'2" 185 Sr. S), an honorable mention all-conference selection, is joined in the secondary by Garrett Jones (6'2" 175 Jr. S), and Jason Hamilton (6'2" 190 Sr. CB). Jones finished the season with 41 tackles last fall. Luke Brown (6'2" 170 Jr. LB) had 42 tackles and 2 sacks, joining Pohlman in the linebacking corps alongside, Andrew Smith (5'11" 220 Jr.).

  Five starters return on offense, including two-way starter, Garrett Jones. He rushed for 397 yards and 5 touchdowns on 41 carries. He is also the Panthers' top kick returner, running back 23 kicks for 438 yards as a sophomore. Jason Hamilton (6'2" 190 Sr. WR), Gary Wilson (6'0" 300 Sr. C), Jake Furl (6'1" 265 Sr. T), and Luke Dickerman (5'9" 185 Sr. G) are the other returning starters on, "O".

  Newcomers to varsity this fall will be; Justin Carrico (5'8" 155 Jr. WR/CB), Nik Casper (5'7" 185 Jr. RB), Mitch Kimble (6'2" 170 So.), Trey Roberts (6'0" 200 Sr. G/DE), Brian Gust (5'11" 190 Jr. LB/TE), Sam Thomas (5'11" 185 Sr. OL), Cole Bugger (5'11" 180 So. OL/DL), Brody Hagen (6'2" 185 Jr. LB/TE), and Adam Fritz (5'11" 200 Jr. TE).

  Jerseyville finished, 2-3, in the Missisippi Valley Conference last season. The title went to Troy Triad (5-0). "Triad is the team to beat. Civic Memorial has everyone back," coach Gary Carter said about the conference race. Other members of the league are; Mascoutah, Waterloo, and Highland.

  Gary Carter has coached for 16 seasons, and also spent time as head coach at East Alton-Wood River. Carter's career coaching record is (65-85). After back-to-back one-win seasons in his first two seasons at Jerseyville, he quadrupled that win amount last fall (4-5). The Panthers have not cracked the IHSA postseason since 2004. He led the East Alton-Wood River Oilers to the playoffs in six of his 13 seasons at the school. Carter played on the 1983 National Champion Southern Illinois football team on the defensive line.

  Assistant coaches at Jerseyville are; Jamie Gormann, Brian Borkowski, Chris Skinner, Ben Bishop, B.J. Symes, Alan Snyder, and Mark Pohlman.