Panthers, foe seek first victor - Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics

Kentucky Wesleyan College Athletics

Scoreboard

Based on records, Kentucky Wesleyan College's football matchup today at Southwest Baptist in Bolivar. Mo., appears to be a tossup.

Both teams are still seeking its first win this season.

But KWC coach Brent Holsclaw has a different analysis of the game that kicks off at 1:30 p.m.

"Southwest Baptist is the best team we've played, other than Murray State," Holsclaw said. "Their record is not any indication. They have played a brutal schedule."

KWC came close to getting in the win column last week, falling 30-25 at Kentucky State. It was a mental blow for the Panthers.

"Last week's game has been tough to get over," Holsclaw said.

KWC is hoping to get the same kind of rushing performance from Thomas Gordon against Southwest Baptist as it did against Kentucky State. Gordon ran for 229 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries in Frankfort.

"Thomas is a special running back, but he's got to continue to produce," Holsclaw said.

The Panthers will need to get something from their passing game, which will work out of a Wildcat formation with Vincent Lalonde and Travis Walker. The Panthers managed only 35 passing yards against Kentucky State.

Former starting quarterback Chris Owen was lost for the season after he broke his foot against Murray State.

Two others who should help KWC's passing offense are receivers Damarcus Ganaway and
Tim Davis.

The Panthers will need all the firepower they can muster to match the offensive ability of Southwest Baptist quarterback Steve Gachette and his top receivers.

Gachette has already thrown for 1,275 yards and eight touchdowns and run for another 238 yards and two scores. Gachette has been intercepted nine times but has completed nearly 58 percent of his passes (110-of-190).

Johnnie King has made 22 catches for 360 yards and three touchdowns. John Austin has caught 19 passes for 254 yards and two more scores.

"They're really good, and we're not a high-powered scoring machine," Holsclaw said. "I think we're better than we were when they beat us last year. We've got to get better and better each day.

"We're going to have to play awfully well to get out of there with a win."

Print Friendly Version