Panthers remind Goodner of 1999 Cardinals

Pond Creek-Hunter’s offense gets the ultimate compliment from Medford coach Chuck Goodner, whose Cardinals visit the Panthers at 7:30 tonight to open the 2006 high school season.

“They’re as good as an offensive team as I’ve seen since our 1999 team,’’ Goodner said. “I know I will be stepping on a lot of toes, but they’re just that explosive.’’

James Kilian set a number of national 8-man passing records in leading the Cardinals to the Class C state championship in 1999. He went on to stardom at Tulsa. His two top receivers, Aaron Zachary and Nathan Gonzales, signed with Northwestern Oklahoma State.

Panthers quarterback Mark Frieouf threw for 1,142 yards and 12 touchdowns last season. He ran for another 1,045 yards and 13 scores.

Austin Peterson caught 31 passes for 397 yards and four touchdowns. Trevor Donnell had 16 catches for 311 yards and four scores. Casey Schneider ran for 713 yards and six scores and caught 15 passes for 178 yards and three scores.

“They can score from anywhere, any time,’’ Goodner said. “People (preseason predictors) have been missing the boat on them. They’re no worst than a semifinal team in Class B.’’

Pond Creek-Hunter’s numbers are even a bigger concern to Goodner, who will have only 15 players available. The Panthers won last year’s game 42-24.

“Last year we played them good for a half,’’ Goodner said. “They just wore us out. They could keep shuffling people in and out. We had the same guys on the field.’’

Injuries reduced Medford to nine players at one point last season. That’s one reason why the Cardinals dropped to 2-7, the team’s first losing season since 1989 when Medford still played 11-man.

“That was the worst season I’ve ever had as a coach with injuries,’’ Goodner said. “I felt we were in eight of those nine games. People were just able to wear us out in the second half.’’

The Cardinals lost only four seniors, but are still a underclassmen-dominated team. The first three weeks of the season (Pond Creek-Hunter, Kremlin-Hillsdale and Southwest Covenant), Goodner said will tell a lot about Medford’s season.

The two teams scheduled the game on Thursday because of the rivalry and the opportunity for a good gate, Goodner said.

“We’re not conceding anything,’’ he said. “It’s still Medford/Pond Creek-Hunter. We’ll see how long we can hang with them.’’

Watonga at Thomas — Watonga coach Shannon Grimes has a challenge in his debut as the Eagles’ head coach. Watonga is putting a 16-game opening day winning streak on line against the Class A power Terriers, who were 8-4 last season. This is the first meeting in more than 35 years between the two programs. Watonga is going for its first winning season since 2000.

Woodward at Elk City — The visiting Boomers open the 2005 season against one of their arch-rivals Woodward leads the series 14-12 since 1976 The Elks have won the last eight meetings, including a 31-21 decision last year. Woodward’s last win came in 1995, 10-7.