2011 Prep Football Preview: Fort Zumwalt North Panthers

After winning three of its first four games at the start of the 2010 season, things were looking quite bright for the varsity football team.

The Panthers were scoring points in all kinds of ways. They were playing fantastic defense. And they were even making big plays on special teams.

Following that fourth game, a double-overtime win over DeSoto High by the way, North seemed set for a great season.

But then North lost four in a row, and before the Panthers even knew what hit them, the season was sunk.

“In several of those losses, we just made some careless mistakes,” North High head football coach Joe Bacon said. “It’s something we have to learn from. And we’re just gonna have to make the most of what we have this year.”

And what the Panthers have in 2011, is a hungry group of mostly underclassmen, that’s looking to bring North’s string of three straight losing seasons to an end.

“Fortunately, even though we’ll have a lot of underclassmen as starters this year, a lot of those guys got a lot of playing time last year,” Bacon said. “We’ve had some really good practices. It’s about executing and being sharp, and these guys have done that.”

Leading North High on the field this year will be dynamic senior quarterback/defensive back V.J. Fitzpatrick.

Last year, the 6-foot-2, 180-pounder was a second-team All-GAC North all-purpose player selection, after leading the Panthers in passing, rushing, and tying for the team led with eight touchdowns scored.

“He’s a great athlete,” Bacon said. “He’s incredibly smart. And his character’s top notch. So when your main leader has all those qualities, that really is all you can ask for.”

Joining Fitzpatrick in the starting lineup on offense for North this season, are fellow seniors Vinnie Bockhoff at fullback, Zach Nelson at slotback, and offensive linemen Nathan Gowen and Jeremy Merlenbach.

“Those are our four most experienced players on offense,” Bacon said. “We’re still searching for starters at the other spots. And we’ll probably be alternating guys at some spots too.”

Defensively, North lost its top performer from 2010, first-team all-conference linebacker Ben Davidson, to graduation.

But the Panthers will bring back a number of players with solid game experience from last year, including linebacker leaders Bockhoff, fellow senior Ryan Roth, and sophomore standout Killian Sneed.

Junior Jalen Price, who will start on the offensive line as well, will start next to Gowen on the defensive line to give North a massive set of roadblocks against the run, while Chris Millich, Quentin Hooks, and Kory Morton, along with Fitzpatrick, will see the bulk of the work in the secondary against the pass.

“Our kids have done better this off-season than ever,” Bacon said. “It used to be the first day was ‘hey, let’s get to know the kids.’ But this year, we know our kids and there’s been real good competition for the starting spots. We’re definitely excited about the team we have.”

Other players expected to contribute for North this season are: seniors Dallas Overkamp, Kumal Singh, and Zach Bain; juniors Teddy Ballman, Justin Manzella, and Collin Mueller; and sophomores Jeremy Davidson and Evan Miller.

The Panthers will open the season on Friday, Aug. 26, when they’ll host Duchesne High at 7 p.m.

2011 FORT ZUMWALT NORTH PANTERS FOOTBALL SCHEDULE

8/26     vs. Duchesne                            7 p.m.

9/2       at St. Charles                            7 p.m.

9/9       at Warrenton                            7 p.m.

9/16     vs. DeSoto                               7 p.m.

9/24     vs. Ritenour                              7 p.m.

9/30     vs. Wentzville Timberland         7 p.m.

10/8     at Ft. Zumwalt East                   1 p.m.

10/21   at Wentzville Holt                     7 p.m

10/28   vs. Ft. Zumwalt South               7 p.m.