The Reedsville Panthers are four years removed from their first and only state football championship, defeating Coleman 21-0 in the Division Seven title tilt in Madison.
Aaron Fredric stepped down after that game, and assistant Sam Shaffer took over.
He’s led the Panthers to the postseason in his first three years, including the state semifinals in 2023.
Shaffer says this group shows a lot of promise as well.
“Things have been going well thus far. The weather has been good. We’ve got about 35 guys out. We’d like more, but that is a good number for a school of our size,” he explained. “The kids that are here, wanting to be here, and put in the work to succeed. We’ve got a good senior class and they’re ready to go out there and show what they can do.”
There are ten seniors on the team, including lineman and three-year starter Jack Schwahn.
“It’s a brotherhood out here,” he told SeehaferNews.com. “It’s great to have everybody back out here playing football. We’ve been friends forever, playing a sport we love, and I can’t wait for the season to start and show the (Reedsville) community what we can do.”
Other returning leaders on the team include Degan Bubolz, who led the Panthers in rushing and total tackles last year, along with receiver Nathan Christensen, who’ll be heavily relied upon in the passing game following the graduation of receptions leader Logan Maertz.
Also gone is Parker Maney, who in 2023 accounted for nearly 3,000 yards of total offense, including nearly 2100 yards on the ground.
Ben Prochnow returns as the starting quarterback, known by many as the starting point guard for the Panthers basketball team.
He says he’s learned a lot from Maney and others on how to play the Panther way.
“I really appreciated the seniors taking me in as an underclassman and taking me under their wings to teach me the right way to do things,” he said. “Now it’s our turn (the 10 seniors) to do the same for all the younger players. We have a great group that all get along with each other. We worked hard this summer with a goal of winning games and, most importantly, to be good people.”
The Big East is tough, with Cedar Grove-Belgium picked by many to repeat as conference champions.
(Jack) Schwahn says Reedsville will challenge for the conference crown and qualify once again for postseason play.
”There is no off week in the Big East,” he put it bluntly. “Anybody can beat anybody at any given time. We respect all, fear none, and we are ready to go. To show people what we can do.”
(Ben) Prochnow agrees, but regardless of winds and losses, he plays the sport in his words for one bigger and lifelong purpose.
“I’m just taking and enjoying every day,” he explained. “My number one goal is to set a good example and keep moving this culture that’s been built here (in Reedsville) moving forward.”
The Panthers open the season Thursday night (August 21st) by hosting the Mishicot Indians.
The kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
