While several key players will miss some early games due to disciplinarian reasons, the Pinckneyville Panthers look to improve on last year’s 2-7 record.
The Panthers have five offensive starters back from last year and just four back on defense for the 2010 campaign.
Going into the season, the Pinckneyville coaching staff will look to rely on its line play.
“We will have a very solid line on both sides of the ball with good depth as well,” said Pinckneyville coach Tod Rushing. “We need our line to win the battle up front and set the tone for games.”
“Once we get everyone back, we will have decent team speed, but we will still be young,” added Rushing. “We will be playing a lot of juniors and sophomores.”
A key returner for the Panthers whowill miss several games to start the season is junior quarterback Bryant Shute (5’9, 160).
“Shute has a lot of speed and experience,” said Rushing. “We are counting on him to have a big season. But with him out early in the season, sophomore Daulton Hubler (6’ 205) will be the starter. Hubler is a big strong kid that throws the ball very well. He is very versatile and runs the offense well.”
Senior Neil Kellerman (5’9, 175) is the lone returning start at running back, and he will be expected to lead the ground attack. Junior Cole Kellerman (6’2, 230) will be the starting fullback while junior J.D. Conner (5’10, 175) will also see a lot of time in the backfield.
Junior Justin Hale (6’, 155), sophomore Caleb Howard (6’, 220) and junior Robbie Knight (5’9, 165) will all see time on the varsity level carrying the ball.
“All of our running backs have good overall speed while our fullbacks have good size and power,” said Rushing. “Our running game really does have a good mix of power and speed with a lot of depth.”
Senior returning starter Adam Barczewski (6’2, 200) will lead the team’s receiving unit. Seniors Brandon Long (5’9, 140), Taylor Beninati (5’10, 155) and Andrew Benbrook (6’, 160) will all see time as receivers.
“This group has decent size for receivers,” added Rushing. “They all have good hands, and they are all willing to do the blocking.”
Returning starters, seniors Mike Huggins (6’, 270) and Clinton Graff (6’1, 275) will anchor a big, solid offensive line for the Panthers. Also expected to see time on the line are juniors Aaron Dunn (5’11, 230), Keegan Kellerman (6’2, 270), Sabin Kohut (5’9, 210) and Brad Thornton (6’1, 240).
“This year we have good size across the line,” said Rushing. “We also have some experience to help anchor that line. But the biggest strength this group has, is that they are all good friends, and they play good as a unit.”

On the defensive line, returning starters Graff and Keegan Kellerman will anchor the front line as defensive tackles. Junior C.J. Opp (6’3, 220) will start at defensive end, while juniors Marian Brammeier (6’2, 200) and Thornton along with senior Jacob Hagston (5’9, 165) will all see action this season on the defensive line.
“Size is very important, and just like our offensive line, we have good size all across the defensive front,” added Rushing.
Neil Kellerman is the lone returning starter at linebacker, as he is expected to lead the group from his outside position. Cole Kellerman and Howard will start as inside linebackers, while there is a tight competition between Conner, Knight and Hale for the other starting slot.
“We have good size and speed at the linebacker positions,” said Rushing. “We have just one returning starter but all of these guys are smart, and they can hit.”
Returning starters Long and Shute are expected to be the cover guys for the Pinckneyville secondary, while Barczewski will start at safety. Also expected to see time are Beninati, sophomore Tyler Hirsch (5’10, 145) and junior Austin Pyatt (5’10, 150).
“This group is a little inexperienced, but they are working hard to make up for that,” said Rushing.
Howard will handle the kicking duties for Pinckneyville, while junior Evan Chapman (5’11, 180) will be the punter.
Pinckneyville went just 2-7 last season, but both wins were conference victories as the team notched decisions over Sparta and Nashville in 2009.
This year the conference race looks a little different. Carterville is in and Chester has moved out to the Black Diamond.
“Nashville should be the clear favorite this year with all of the kids they have back,” added Rushing. “Du Quoin and Anna-Jonesboro have tradition and field solid teams every year. Carterville also has a winning tradition, and they will fit in well in this conference. Sparta is like us by not having a lot of players. They need to stay healthy to compete.”
Pinckneyville opens the season on the road against Red Bud before hosting back-to-back home games against West Frankfort and Benton.