PRZNY Team Previews: Pioneer Panthers

<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Last Season (9-2)</strong></h2>   <p>Last year, Pioneer had a very good run in Section VI outscoring their opponents 310-84. The Panthers seemed to be able to score at will and play lights out defense against anyone. All 9 of their wins were by a deficit of 20 or more points. However what mattered the most was that their two losses were against Health Sciences, including a 38-27 Sectional finals game loss at Highmark Stadium.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Top Prospect</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='806982' first='Gavin' last='Schwab'] is a two-year varsity starter and in both seasons, he guided the Panthers to the Section VI title game. He has a strong arm with solid accuracy and possesses quality leader characteristics. He is efficient with the football as he threw 24 touchdowns to just 2 interceptions. Gavin also displayed agility with 5 touchdowns on the ground.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Three X-Factors</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">[player_tooltip player_id='806984' first='Sam' last='Platt'] is a dynamic player that teams need to game plan for. At 6'4 almost 220 lbs., Platt is a tenacious DE, racking up 115 tackles and 14 sacks in the last two seasons. In both campaigns, he was an All WNY and All State selection. Last year, he also proved to be a big target in the passing game with 18 catches for 279 yards and 5 touchdowns.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Another big bodied two-way player is [player_tooltip player_id='1568113' first='Karter' last='Giboo']. Giboo led the Panthers in several categories last season, including receiving touchdowns (7), tackles (91) and forced fumbles/fumble recoveries (4 & 5). He is also the teams primary Punter. Although they didn't Punt much, he did average 43.6 yards per kick. More will be expected from Giboo as a senior for the Panthers to get back to the Section VI title game.</p>     <p class="text-gray-700">Few freshman come in to varsity and make the impact that [player_tooltip player_id='1371662' first='Isaac' last='Platt'] did last season. Platt was second on the team in rushing with 449 yards and 6 touchdowns and was an exceptional Defensive Back with 61 tackles and 3 interceptions. With the loss of several seniors from last season, Isaac is expected to take on a much larger role as a sophomore.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Breakout Player</strong></h2>    <p class="text-gray-700">Jacek Sawicki did not have the output as many of his teammates did but with many players graduating this year, the door will be open for Sawicki to have a breakout junior season as a RB and/or DB.</p>    <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Names to Know</strong></h2>   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>Position</td><td>Player</td><td>Class</td><td>Notes</td></tr><tr><td>ATH</td><td>[player_tooltip player_id='1743076' first='Takota' last='Smith']</td><td>2026</td><td>A 6'3 215 lb. TE/DE </td></tr><tr><td>OL</td><td>Noah Ochoa</td><td>2025</td><td>A returning lineman that should take over the Center duties</td></tr><tr><td>OL</td><td>Ty Richardson</td><td>2025</td><td>A 6'3 300 lb. Offensive Guard</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Key Losses</strong></h2>   <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td>ATH</td><td>Dalton Giboo</td><td>Hobart</td></tr><tr><td>DB/K</td><td>Gabe Kempf</td><td>Erie Community College</td></tr><tr><td>OL</td><td>Luke Matheis</td><td>1st team All WNY, 3rd team All State</td></tr><tr><td>OL</td><td>Jimmy Steppe</td><td>6'4 275 All-WNY Lineman</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2024 Schedule</strong></h2>   <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://prepredzone.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/3/2024/08/Pioneer-Panthers-Football-Schedule.jpg?w=1024" alt="" class="wp-image-1405243" /><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">Photo: Twitter</figcaption></figure>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>2024 Outlook</strong></h2>   <p><strong>Current Head Coach:</strong> <strong>Jim Duprey</strong></p>   <p>Just like last season, Pioneer will not get the chance to play a non league game to start the season. The Panthers first game of the year will be at home against Grand Island; a team that was in Class A last season. They then continue their string of Class B1 rivals including two tough matchups against South Park and Iroquois. They will host Class A's West Seneca West before closing out the season against divisional foes, Williamsville South and Lake Shore.</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>3 Things Going For The</strong> Panthers</h2>   <p>A top-notch passing attack led by [player_tooltip player_id='806982' first='Gavin' last='Schwab']</p>   <p>A dominant defense with [player_tooltip player_id='806984' first='Sam' last='Platt'] at DE, [player_tooltip player_id='1568113' first='Karter' last='Giboo'] at LB and [player_tooltip player_id='1371662' first='Isaac' last='Platt'] at DB</p>   <p>An experienced coaching staff with Jim Duprey. Duprey is one of the longest, if not, the longest tenured coach in Section VI. </p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>1 Area of Concern</strong></h2>   <p>Pioneer lost several key components from their 2023 team, including their leading rusher and several linemen</p>   <h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>The Last Word</strong></h2>   <p>Pioneer is facing the same doubts they faced heading into 2023. After the 2022 season where they fell in the Sectional finals, they were dealing with several seniors graduating and how will they compete? They answered with an even better season in 2023, although they would once again lose in the Section VI title game. Now, they will be losing even more players, especially on the Offensive Line. The Class B1 division in Section VI is very competitive so how they respond will depend a lot on their returning starters like the Platt brothers and Giboo as well as whomever gets brought up from their JV squad.</p>