Boot Camp: New Washington coaches hope to keep old Panther winning ways

WASHINGTON, Ill. (WMBD/WYZZ) — There are new coaches in Washington but they home to keep the status quo when it comes to winning.

After 27 years as an assistant coach, Todd Stevens is the Panthers head coach succeeding the retired Darrell Crouch. And former Eureka College head coach Kurt Barth is now Washington’s offensive coordinator.

They hope to keep the Panther momentum going after a 11-2 season that saw the team reach the class 6A state semifinals.

Quarterback Tyler Humphrey is back as is tight end carter Prina. Former Panthers receiver AJ Jones returns to the mix following his transfer back to Washington from Bolingbrook.

Stevens says there’s roughly 115 players out for football and 48 of them are juniors or seniors. He’s most impressed with his offensive line which returns a trio of three-year starters.

“The line is pretty experienced. We all like to play together as a group, play as a team,” said senior lineman Jackson Stewart. “The O-line is a group that you have to play together. Having that experience, I feel like we are going to come out here with an edge, not be complacent.”

That line is standing out in August practices.

“It really helps with our (offensive) line,” said senior linebacker Carter Quin. “You can see the holes (they create), the vision is great. Our defensive line stops all the runs for the other team. It does the most work for our defense. It’s phenomenal.”

Washington opens the season at home against Maple Park Kaneland on Aug. 30.

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