2010 VarsityKansas football team preview: Independent Panthers
Coach
Kyle Wallis
Second season
2-7
“Having a lot of key returners from last year at the skill positions is going to be good for us, with them understanding the system and being another year along in that capacity.”
At a glance
Last season: 2-7
Projected 2010 record: 2-7
Make playoffs: No
Best skill players
Player: Ht., Wt., Pos., Yr.
Sam Dunne: 6-3, 185, QB, Sr.
Brett Soucie: 5-11, 170, WR, Sr.
Prentice Byrd: 5-10, 185, RB, So.
Cory Palmer: 5-9, 160, DB, Sr.
Best linemen
Player: Ht., Wt., Pos., Yr.
Hal McCoy: 6-1, 225, OL, Sr.
Daniel Poynter: 6-0, 220, OL, Sr.
Patrick Binter: 6-0, 235, DL, Sr.
Watch out for
Prentice Byrd RB
Hal McCoy OL
Cory Palmer DB
Brett Soucie WR
Sam Dunne QB
Hal McCoy on his team
What Independent does well: “Our senior class, all six of us, have had a lot of experience since sophomore year. I think all six of us will be productive players out on the field this year.”
What it has to improve: “A point that we’ve been working on a lot is just commitment to the program. Over the last two years I’d say we’ve been really getting there.”
2010 Schedule
Date; Opponent; Time; 2009
Sept. 3; Medicine Lodge; 7 p.m.; L, 48-13
Sept. 10; Chaparral; 7 p.m.; L, 35-27
Sept. 17; at Conway Springs; 7 p.m.; L, 61-6
Sept. 24; Wichita Trinity; 7 p.m.; L, 42-7
Oct. 1; at Garden Plain; 7 p.m.; L, 72-0
Oct. 8; Bluestem; 7 p.m.; W, 45-0
Oct. 15; at Douglass; 7 p.m.; L, 33-12
Oct. 22; Collegiate; 7 p.m.; L, 50-0
Oct. 29; at Belle Plaine; 7 p.m.; W, 32-6
Our breakdown
Even with two big wins, Independent was outscored by more than 200 points last season. With several playmakers returning, the Panthers could be able to keep up with some of the prolific offensive teams on their schedule. The key for Independent will be whether its defense can stop those teams. Dunne took over at quarterback midseason and played well, passing for 789 yards and nine touchdowns. His weapons include Byrd, who had positive moments as a freshman last season, and Soucie, the team’s leading receiver with 35 receptions and five touchdowns. Palmer and McCoy, who led the Panthers with 3.5 sacks, are the defensive anchors.
-- Jeffrey Lutz