Panthers hope they can contain Comanches

O'Fallon coach Brandon Joggerst knows all about the athletes and speed of the Cahokia Comanches.

The job at hand for Joggerst heading into the Panthers' season opening test at 7 p.m. today at Cahokia is finding a way to slow down -- or at least contain -- the explosive Comanches attack.

"They're scary and they are going to put us to the test right away,'' Joggerst said. "Offensively and on special teams they just have so much speed and it's hard to simulate that kind of speed in practice.

"There is no doubt about it. We've got our work cut out for us against a very good football team.''

Coming off a 4-5 season, the Panthers will battle a Cahokia team that is ranked third in the preseason Class 5A state poll. Cahokia returns most of its top players from a team that finished 11-2 and advanced to the Class 5A semifinals.

Cahokia's potent passing attack is led by senior quarterback Patrick Ivy and receivers Jimmie Hunt and Donald Collier.

Ivy threw for over 2,700 yards and 32 touchdowns a year ago, while Hunt and Collier combined for 72 catches, 1,700 yards and 23 touchdowns.

"To have a great quarterback or two great receivers is one thing, Cahokia has both,'' Joggerst said. "We just have to take away the big play which is tough because they can strike from anywhere on the field and at any time. It can be third-and-12 from inside their own 10-yard line and they could take it to the house.''

While O'Fallon can't match the speed and athleticism of Cahokia, the Panthers have an experienced group returning from a team that won its last two games a year ago.

"One thing about O'Fallon is that they are always well prepared and they'll come at you for 48 minutes. Brandon (Joggerst) does a great job of getting his kids ready,'' Cahokia coach Antwyne Golliday said. "They are a Southwestern Conference team and so they're big and physical.

"We're going to take what they give us and, as usual, the team that executes and eliminates turnovers will win the football game.''

While Cahokia has several go-to players, O'Fallon may still be searching for one.

The player expected to fill that role -- senior running back Erin Lewis -- may miss the entire season with a broken jaw. Lewis rushed for nearly 900 yards and eight scores a year ago.

"Someone else is going to have to step up,'' Joggerst said. "This is a good group of kids with great attitudes and work ethics and I know they're anxious to hit someone else besides their teammates.''

A win over the Panthers would give Golliday 50 wins for his career. Golliday enters his seventh season with a 49-19 record.

"We're anxious to play a game because we've been working out since June," Golliday said. "We don't have any contact until practice starts, but I know the kids are ready to have another good season.''