So far the Panthers have quenched their winning thirst as Spring Lake Park is 7-0 and ranked second in Class 5A going into their final regular season game.
It’s been a banner year and it could get even better.
“Each week we talk about we want to be disciplined, we want to be physical, we want to be relentless,” said Spring Lake Park Head Coach John Stewart. “I think we keep challenging them to do that.”
There’s real chemistry on this Panther team which fuels their winning ways.
“A lot of us hang out with each other outside of football,” said senior LB Cade Skelly. “Getting to know people personally off the field as well helps build that bond and brotherhood.”
“We’re just a really cohesive group,” said junior QB Nolan Roach. “We’re all brothers outside of football practice. We hang out. We get food every week. The whole offensive line is blocking really good. They’re getting push. It’s allowing us to run the ball and throw the ball really successfully.”
Panthers college prospects
Stewart is in his eighth season at Spring Lake Park and he enjoys coaching this group.
“If we can clean up some details and continue to get better each week, we certainly could make a run at something special,” Stewart said.
Junior Quarterback Nolan Roach is one of the offensive catalysts with nine touchdown passes while Marqueal Mitchell has run for 554 yards.
Spring Lake Park has 30 seniors and many are college football prospects.
“Our D end Jamal Smith is getting some looks,” Stewart said. “D tackle Brodie Gemlo is getting some attention. Cade Skelly our captain linebacker. Marcus Snyder our safety. Lamari Brown our running back. Calen Truckenbrod is committed to a Wisconsin D3.”
If the Panthers keep winning this could be a special season.
“Teams going really good right now,” Roach said. “Hopefully we can keep going.”
“I think it goes back to the fundamentals and just having a lot of experience,” Skelly said. “All of us have been playing together since like third grade.”
Spring Lake Park has one Prep Bowl title which came in 1991. In 1999 and 2016 the Panthers finished second in the state.
