Panther Defense On Seek and Destroy Mission This Fall

In this fourth article in the Monday Series on "Hammer Time" defensive units, we are taking a look at a team that made plenty of headlines last year when they headed into the playoff's with an undefeated record, only to run into a buzzsaw in the second round.   It was a disappointing end for the Great Bend Panthers, a team that had been red-hot, reeling off off nine straight wins and in eight of those games held opposing offenses to two scores or less. They followed that up in the post-season with a convincing victory in the first round of the playoffs, only to fall to rival Hays 19-14 in the second round.   The good news for the Panthers is they return almost their entire defense as well as the #1-ranked player in the state in [player_tooltip player_id='1229117' first='Ian' last='Premer'], a 6'6, 230 pound multi-positional, multi-sport hybrid athlete, who earlier signed with Notre Dame.   To get a clearer picture of the returning horsepower a team has on defense, I like to look at some of the "return numbers", which is essentially both the year-end total and the game-average tackles attributed to returning players.   So far, after looking at approx 60 defenses in Kansas across all classifications, a team in the 50% return range is usually fairly happy. Most of the top returning defenses are typically a little higher in the 55-65% range.   Then there are teams like Great Bend, who are returning an eye-popping 74% of their tackles from last year; which is second only to Nemaha Central who sits at the top so far with a stunning 77% return off an 11-2 state runner-up team. These are the only two teams so far over 70+%   The Panthers aren't losing much to graduation off a strong playoff team that went 9-1 a year ago. It was a team that also averaged 68 tackles a game, on a year-end stat line that included 675 total tackles, 52 TFL, 26 sacks and 11 interceptions.   Six of the top seven tacklers return from last year, including all-state MLB [player_tooltip player_id='1083225' first='Trenton' last='Kern'], who led the team in tackles last fall. They also feature some of the top skill position players in the state on both offense and defense, which we'll highlight below.   In this report we are going to take a closer look at the Panther's defense, going over the background leading to this season, acknowledge some key stats, and then breakdown the defensive scheming and get into all three levels: D-Line, LBs and DB's, and take a look at the key players in each position group.   These guys were a force to be reckoned with last year as a physical defense loaded with athletes. The sting of their only lost coming in the last game carried over into the off-season and made them closer and more determined than ever. With last year's experience and the growth and maturation of another year, they are going to be a punishing unit who will be locked in on their 2025 seek and destroy mission.   So, without further adieu, let's take a look at what these guys look like rolling into this fall:   Great Bend: Head Coach: Erin Beck: 9th Season, 2024 Record: 9-1; 2023 Record 6-3 (with all three losses within one score of their opponents)   Background: As mentioned above, last year the Panthers experienced their only loss in the final game of the year. Consequently, there was plenty of motivation for this season. Anytime a team sustains their only loss of the year, by less than a TD, against a western-Kansas rival, the drive and motivation to eradicate a painful memory already deeply resonated with the returning players. Fast forward to the summer of '25 and the Panthers not only return most of last year's starters, but quite a few players who saw significant time last year. This year's team will roll into game one this fall with plenty of experience and motivation and have access to quite a few ballers who can be used interchangeably within the defensive structure.   Key Stat: I have looked at quite a few defensive units from last year – all the state champs at each level as well as numerous playoff and other top teams – and the returning Panther defense is one of the most prolific in the state. Last year as a defense they piled up 675 total tackles in 10 games, averaging right at 68 a game. And, with only a handful of players graduating, they return 502 tackles from last year, an impressive 74% of all the tackles made in 2024. The top six returning ballers on defense piled up a ball-busting 344 tackles - 51% of the team total. Talk about a strong core nucleus, these guys have it.   Defense Overview: in this section we will look at all three levels of the Panther defense. With a well-coached space-eating defensive line that keeps blockers off the team's heat-seeking missile linebackers and elite skill players in the secondary, it allows them to fly unimpeded to the ball. The backend of this defense in particular is loaded with defensive playmakers.   D-Line: The Panthers will line up in a three or four man front for the most part and are flexible enough to shift back and forth as needed. As mentioned earlier, the front line of this defensive front may not get a lot of attention but they are a big part of helping make this defense sizzle by keeping blockers off the guys behind them and allow a ruthless attack on the ball.   Linebackers: it's a coin flip determining which position group is the strength of this defense, as the Panther linebackers and secondary are both loaded. The LB core group is led by 2X all-state and DPOY, MLB [player_tooltip player_id='1083225' first='Trenton' last='Kern'] who led the team with 113 tackles last year. He is joined by younger brother, [player_tooltip player_id='1124985' first='Kale' last='Kern'], who is a rising-star LB in his own right, and had 40+ tackles a year ago; and [player_tooltip player_id='1622489' first='Jacob' last='Hall'], who added 40+ tackles of his own. Between the three of them they piled up 195 tackles, which was a third of the team's total. With numerous options at their disposal and being used in both a creative and destructive manner in a variety of stunts and blitz calls, these guys are a battle-hardened presence along the second level of defense. The following players will be key:   [player_tooltip player_id='1083225' first='Trenton' last='Kern'], 6'1, 215, MLB, '26. The apex predator of the defense returns and is a man on a mission this year. He has already established himself as arguably the best LB in the state, so this year it is going to be about solidifying that status as well as helping lead his team to a state title with a big senior year. With his next-level read and react skills and closing speed he blows through gaps and flows sideline to sideline making one big play after another.   [player_tooltip player_id='1124985' first='Kale' last='Kern'], 6'1, 215, MLB, '27. Younger bro is cut from the same cloth and last season had a breakout year as a sophomore linebacker who can step up and hit blockers in the mouth but also use his fine-tuned instincts and athleticism to take out plays off tackle or cut off backs trying to hit the perimeter. With a year of experience under his belt he is getting ready to shift into destroyer mode this fall.   [player_tooltip player_id='1622489' first='Jacob' last='Hall'], 6'2, 200, OLB/DE, '27. With the Kern brothers getting most of the attention, this guy has gone about the business of making a name for himself as an outside LB/Edge/DE who had 40+ tackles and is versatile enough to be schemed in stunts and blitz packages. Last year he had five sacks and a pair of TFL crashing the gate off the edge or shooting gaps in the offensive front.   Secondary: the Panthers can play out of a base three-deep secondary with a centerfielder free safety or shift gears and go four-deep or nickel depending on who they are facing. And with elite-level talent on the back-end of the defense, the guys up front are free to fly to the ball knowing they have players behind them who can handle anything coming their way. Led by the top-ranked player in the state and Notre Dame-bound [player_tooltip player_id='1229117' first='Ian' last='Premer'], a 6'6 free safety/hybrid WR, they also feature mega-athlete [player_tooltip player_id='933826' first='Cooper' last='Ohnmacht'], 6'2, 185 CB/Safety/WR, a 2X state champion in the triple jump, and all-around baller [player_tooltip player_id='1622490' first='Conner' last='Holladay'], 6'0, 195, a hybrid headhunter of a defender who could be grouped with either the linebackers or the defensive backs, he is versatile enough to play anywhere the team needs him. With three elite athletes roaming the back-end of the defense these guys are going to keep offensive coordinators up at night this fall. The following players will be key:   [player_tooltip player_id='1229117' first='Ian' last='Premer'], 6'6, 230, ATH, '26. As one of the best, if not the best, overall athletes in the state he is poised and ready for another standout year in what has been a generational career so far with one more to go. An all-state player in three sports with D1 offers in two of the three so far, he is an elite playmaker who creates mismatches wherever he lines up. He can play anywhere on both sides of the ball as needed and with his athleticism, having him roaming the secondary is one of the best safety nets in the state.   [player_tooltip player_id='933826' first='Cooper' last='Ohnmacht'], 6'2, 185, ATH, '27. He has quietly forged a career as a rising-star talent who is the best triple jumper in the state as well as being one of the most explosive athletes around. Already a 2X state champion jumper, he recently broke a 20 year-old bench press record for wide receivers when he maxed out at 310 pounds. With his length, speed and surprising strength, he checks all the boxes as one of the top rising-talents ready to dominate the Sunflower state for years to come.   [player_tooltip player_id='1622490' first='Conner' last='Holladay'], 6'0, 195, LB/DB/RB, '26. He is one I have been following closely since last fall and I have been impressed with his overall game. As a two-way force playing RB, LB or Strong Safety or wherever they need him, he will excel. Last year he was second on the team in tackles and is the returning leader in sacks. He gets to the ball in a hurry and when he arrives brings the sledgehammer. This guy was just getting warmed up last year and is going to have a dominant senior year this fall.     In conclusion, get out and see these guys in action this fall – you will not be disappointed.   As a reminder, if you run across any teams or players flying under the radar give me a shout via DM on X.    And, as usual…   Keep grindin'

In this fourth article in the Monday Series on "Hammer Time" defensive units, we are taking a look at a team that made plenty of headlines last year when they headed into the playoff's with an undefeated record, only to run into a buzzsaw in the second round.