(Listen to the Centralia-Wetmore Panthers vie for the 2-1A State title on 92.1 KMZA & online – click here; Pregame coverage starts 12:30pm on Saturday, November 30^th)

For the third straight year the Centraila-Wetmore Panthers will vie for the Class 2-1A State title and look to finish some unfinished business from last year when a State title slipped away.

This year Centralia-Wetmore see another familiar foe in the State title game as the LaCrosse Leopards return to the title game; both teams clashed for the title back in 2011 and the Panthers got the best of the Leopards 20-14 in an overtime classic. Both teams come into Saturday’s matchup with perfect 12-0 records this season.

This season the Panthers return to the State title game with an unblemished record at perfect 12-0 after running wild over their opponents out of the single wing formation and utilizing a defense that stonewalls opponents with regularity.

Lead by a super senior class the Panthers have compiled 4,311 rushing yards on the season good for 359.3 rush yards per game, while posting nearly 50 points per game on the season. Senior tailback, Sam Steinlage leads the way with 1,226 yards rushing and 22 TD’s, while senior quarterback, JT Rosine has surpassed 1,000 yards rushing, too (1,057 yards) and ran for 16 TD’s while passing for 542 yards and six scores. The potent Panther rushing attack doesn’t stop with those two guys as 12 guys have two or more varsity carries and nine have a rushing TD this season with Trevor Mars and Darrian Turner the next two leading rusher’s on the team after Rosine and Steinlage.

The Panther defense brought back everyone this season that contributed last year and have continued to stop teams with regularity. Centralia-Wetmore has only given up 67 points all season, good for 5.6 points per game average, while only allowing opponents to an average of 111.3 yards per game. Defense has forced 18 turnovers but prides themselves on just lining up and not allowing any movement from their opponent, creating a stonewall.

Breezing through the playoffs the Panthers outscored their opponents 161-29 to earn their spot in the 2-1A State title game. In the first round Centralia-Wetmore mauled the Oskaloosa Bears with a 56-8 win jumping on them before they knew what hit them as the Panthers lead 29-0 after the first quarter. In the second round the Panthers took to the road and clipped the wings of the Olpe Eagles 36-0, limiting their offense to 121 total yards. In the Sub-State matchup Centralia-Wetmore worked past the cold weather to declaw the Lyndon Tigers with a 69-21 win, leading 54-0 at the half.

Panthers are on the prowl for one more win and the LaCrosse Leopards stand in their way from a perfect season and the third football State title in school history.