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The last few years the Mountain Grove Panthers have looked like a new football team.
Not because of new jerseys or helmets, but because of a brand-new offense under a new group of players.
The Panthers changing from a ground game offense to the air.
“Just with the athletes we had, we had to switch. We had a lot of athletes at receiver last year, so we just had to switch over and make that change. We couldn’t get a whole lot done just running the ball so with the guys we had we had to switch,” said Panthers quarterback Tyson Elliott.
It wasn’t necessarily a switch for the players.
“Believe it or not we actually threw the ball a lot in mighty mites too,” Elliott said.
However, more so change for those around the program.
“People were definitely skeptical at first, changing everything from being a run game all the time. Just talking to them and seeing that it works and show them that it works and when you show them it works, they like it a little more,” the senior quarterback added.
That change came on the shoulders of quarterback Tyson Elliott.
“He’s huge. He touches the ball every play and this is his third year starting so he’s in control out there and it’s his team,” said Mountain Grove football coach Brandon Rodgers.
The Panthers are in good hands, Elliott holds school records in passing touchdowns in a season and a career. Including throwing for over 1800 yards last year.
This Summer, with a relatively new offense, the Panthers are playing in more 7-on-7 tournaments.
Including the Route 66 Air-Attack tournament.
“It just helps us get our timing down by having my feet set at the right time and seeing when those open windows are and just getting it there,” said Elliott.
“We just come out for the competition. We’ve always done a few but just on a lot smaller scale, this is kind of a big deal for us, and thought we could compete at this and wanted to see where we are at,” said Rodgers.
