Pinckneyville ended last season with three consecutive victories to finish the year at 4-5. The Panthers will be looking to build off last season and get back to the playoffs after a four-year absence.
Coach Tod Rushing has the team to do it, with eight returning starters on offense and seven back on defense.
“We return players in key positions, including a three-year starter at quarterback and most of our offensive and defensive line, which is the foundation of our team,” said Rushing.
Returning at quarterback is senior Bryant Shute (5’8, 165), one of the more explosive players in southern Illinois.
“We hope Bryant can pick up where he left off last season,” said Rushing. “He realizes this is his team now, and so far this summer, he has been leading the other kids. We are expecting big things from Bryant this year.”
The Panthers will run mostly a spread offense but will line up in a multiple T at times to keep the opposing team off balance. Pinckneyville has a number of players who will see time carrying the ball this season.  Seniors  JD Connor (5’10, 195) and Justin Hale (6’1, 165) are returning starters at the runningback position and will see most of the carries.
“Both guys have good speed and have experience playing varsity ball,” added Rushing. “They both run hard and complement each other well.”
At the fullback position, senior Cole Kellerman (6’, 240) returns as the starter, while juniors Caleb Howard (5’11, 225) and Daulton Hubler (5’11, 210) will also see time.
“All three have decent size and quickness,” said Rushing. “With the good depth, we can keep them fresh throughout the game and season.”
Senior Austin Pyatt (5’11, 155) and sophomore Ky Hamilton (5’11, 160) lead the team’s receiving core.  Senior Marian Brammeier (6’2, 210) returns as starting tight end, and senior C.J. Opp (6’3, 230) will see varsity minutes, as well.
“All of our receivers run good routes and, more importantly, are good blockers,” said Rushing. “They all are team players not concerned with individual stats.”
Pinckneyville returns all but one starter on a big offensive line. Back for the Panthers are seniors left guard Brad Thornton (6’1, 260),  center Keegan Kellerman (6’1, 275),  right guard Sabin Kohut (5’8, 230) and  right tackle Blake Thornton (5’9, 250). Senior Dustin McCurdy (6’1, 245) will start this season at left tackle, while junior Logan Woods (6’3, 310) and senior Tyler Glenn (6’, 215) will see time on the offensive line, as well.
“Our offensive line is a close unit that works well together,” said Rushing. “Our line has a lot of experience and decent size. We look for big things from them this season.”
The defensive line will be another key strength for the Panthers this season. The team has four returning starters  with Keegan Kellerman, Kohut, Opp and Brad Thornton. Brammeier also saw some time last season and will start at defensive end.
“This group also has a lot of experience and really good size,” said Rushing. “They are a hard-working group and should be an anchor for our defense.”
Pinckneyville also returns some experience at the linebacker positions, as Cole Kellerman and Howard return in the middle, and Connor is back on the outside. The other starting outside linebacker will be Hubler.
“All of our linebackers played last year, so that experience will really help,” said Rushing. “They are a hard-working unit, and they have good size.”
Shute and Pyatt return to lead the Pinckneyville secondary, while senior Wes Fisher (5’8, 140), junior Kelton Lively (5’8, 145) and sophomore Justyn Rushing (5’9, 160) will all see time, as well.
Howard and Hubler will handle the kicking duties, while Brammeier returns as the Panthers’ punter.
The always loaded SIRR Mississippi Division will feature another interesting battle this year for the conference crown.
“Du Quoin returns a lot of talent and has such great tradition,” said Rushing. “Anna-Jonesboro has a great program, and Carterville has a great quarterback coming back. Right now I think those are the top three teams. But the conference will be very competitive from top to bottom this year.”
Pinckneyville hosts Red Bud Friday night to open the season. The Musketeers have had the upper hand in the rivalry the past several years, but the Panthers will be looking for some revenge this season.
“Red Bud has two outstanding runningbacks in Hubert and Phegley,” said Rushing. “Their quarterback got some experience last year when Hoffman went down with an injury. They were hit hard by graduation, but they still have weapons. We have to put points on the board and be able to slow their offense down.”