Hitting the gridiron to start the 2024 season the Powell Panthers hope to advance further in the 3A postseason following a 7-3 record last year and a quarterfinal exit for the third consecutive season.

Returning at the top will be a pair of senior All-State players, including All-State defensive lineman Doug Bettger, All-State lineman Dusty Carter and All-State linebacker Keona Wisniewski.

In addition, Powell returns two All-Conference selections in senior 3A West All-Conference offensive lineman Jacob Eaton and senior All-Conference linebacker Trevon Abraham.

“Our linemen are good, a lot of returners on our line which really helps,” coach Chase Kistler said.

Heading into this season, Kistler said that foundation will be important for the Panthers, as they have been installing a new offense with the Panthers learning to play the new brand at full speed in a scrimmage last Friday.

“Now we just need to start making good decisions in the backfield where we don’t turn it over, and, you know, take away from our good linemen that we have up front,” Kistler said. “You know the hard things is in practice, it looks really good, but we’re not going full speed. Then today (Friday), when we were trying to go full speed, then our timing’s a bit off.”

On offense the Panthers are also still making a decision at the most important position on that side of the ball, with a quarterback battle ensuing leading up to the first game.

That battle is between Wisniewski and junior Caden Nelson, with Kistler saying the pair will split time in the first contest against Riverton on Friday.

“I’m not going to say that (the starter) until we go all the way through Riverton,” Kistler said. “They’re going to split time in a live game, and then you know, evaluate them. If it’s still not decided, we’ll go until Worland and evaluate them.”

He said both of the athletes are competing well, each having their strong suits and making the other better each day.

Defensively the Panthers return nearly the entire core of a strong team a year ago, but replaced a couple of spots in the secondary heading into this campaign.

“Our defense is pretty much all returners except for a couple guys in our secondary,” Kistler said. “For like the line and stuff, we know what we’ve got.”

Starting out the year the Panthers will kick off the 2024 campaign at home, taking on Riverton Friday night at 6 p.m.

The Wolverines are coming off a 4-6 record last season after winning the 3A East, with Kistler anticipating a difficult matchup with the visitors in the second year under coach Mark Lenhardt.

“They’re going to be good, going to be a tough opponent,” Kistler said. “They’re tricky with what they do, they throw a lot of screens, a lot of smoke and mirrors type stuff on offense. I think a lot of their line is back, but they lost a lot of their specialty guys. It’ll be a good matchup for us and it’ll be a good opportunity to see where we’re at.”

The Panthers are eyeing a strong season, with hopes of returning to the top in Laramie for the first time since 2013.