CHESAPEAKE – Maybe the Chesapeake Panthers are still moving up, but their players keep going down.

Thursday, August 31, 2000

CHESAPEAKE – Maybe the Chesapeake Panthers are still moving up, but their players keep going down.

The Panthers cruised to 49-12 opening win last week over Green, but lost in the win was linebacker Dan Dierdorf.

Tackle Travis Jones compounded the problems this week when he suffered a sprained knee and won’t play this week. He joins tackle Jason Ellis (5-11, 235) who missed last week’s game and won’t be allowed to play until Monday.

All this had Panthers coach Phil Davis wondering what might happen next.

"It’s hurt us to lose Jones because we haven’t got Ellis back yet. And we had (Dan) Dierdorf go down. He’s practicing, but he’s not 100 percent," said Davis.

Regardless of the injuries, the Panthers must pull together this week as they make their second straight road trip, traveling to play the Wayne Pioneers.

Wayne, 7-4 last season and a playoff qualifier, suffered some heavy losses. Both tackles and guards, a split end, the quarterback, the tailback, and the wingback have departed. But Davis doesn’t see the losses as being a lack of talent, only experience.

One returning player is fullback Robert Pratt (5-9, 180) who gained nearly 1,000 yards last year and scored 11 touchdowns.

The quarterback is sophomore Ryan Wellman (5-9, 145) and the tackles are sophomore Jonathan Clark (6-0, 220) and junior Jeremy Clayborne (6-3, 250). Returning at tight end is senior Zach Botkins (6-1, 250).

"They’re not huge, except for their two tackles. They play hard, and their secondary looks better," said Davis. "I think their quarterback is a good kid. The Pratt kid at tailback is good. We won’t know how good their line is until Friday.

"I think their backfield is quicker. Wellman throws the ball pretty well. He completed five straight right before the end of the half last week. We have to be able to defend the pass as well as the trap."

Wayne’s defense is led by linebackers Pratt, Chris Coleman (5-10,180) and Adam Clay (5-11, 200).

"Their defense is quick, and they have an advantage because they know what to expect from us," said Davis.

Even though Wayne might be quick on defense, Davis doesn’t plan to alter the team’s attack.

"We’re going to do what we do. We’re going to give the ball to (Zeb) Best and (Josh) Waugh. They did a nice job for us last week. We may throw it around more because of what they’ll do," said Davis.

"I don’t know if there will be that many big plays. We’ll probably have to make more long drives. Their overall quickness is pretty good. We hit them for a couple of long ones last year. I don’t see that this year."

Quickness and speed have helped the Panthers to back-to-back Ohio Valley Conference titles. Davis thinks Wayne may rival the Panthers in those departments this time.

In fact, Davis said speed and quickness could be the determining factors.

"We have to see how we match up speed-wise. It’s hard to tell looking on film, but they look pretty quick and we’re pretty quick in spots. And up front. We have to see how we match up with their linemen," said Davis. "If things are as decisive up front, then the speed factor becomes more important."