Panthers’ offensive line finds consistency, stability to become driving force in playoff push

CAMP POINT, Ill. — Jase Wallace accepted what awaited the Camp Point Central football team’s offensive line when the season began.

A little bit of Inconsistency and uncertainty.

“There was a lot to learn and improve on,” said Wallace, the senior right guard who was one of four new full-time starters for the defending Class 1A state champion. “We knew from the start we were going to have pressure, but it’s just another game. We had a long season to go.”

Still, the right advice is what the Panthers needed to hear.

“(The coaching staff) told us, ‘Know that you guys are going to struggle. Keep working together and push through it,’” Wallace said.

By doing so, the offensive line has paved the way back to the Class 1A state semifinals for the third consecutive season and sixth time in the last 13 seasons. The third-seeded Panthers (11-1) will face top-seeded Belleville Althoff (12-0) at 2 p.m. Saturday in Belleville for a spot in the state title game.

“We know they are the ones trying to get back at us for what took place here last year,” Central senior center Jaden Summy said. “Not many outside of this area think we’re going to win. So we just have to go out there and execute right. If we do all of that, we give ourselves a chance.”

Little by little, the execution of the line has improved, but it wasn’t until Week 8 when the Panthers felt they finally were playing at their best.

Facing a playoff-bound Carrollton squad that had allowed just 36 combined points in its first six games, the Panthers methodically picked apart the Hawks to the tune of 457 yards of total offense. Nate Peters scored five touchdowns, Elijah Genenbacher threw two touchdown passes and the offense was as efficient as it had been all season.

“Carrollton threw a lot of different stuff at us,” Summy said. “We really communicated effectively to get everyone blocked up front. Ever since then, we’ve kind of been on a roll.”

The Panthers certainly have.

Central has averaged 32 points, four touchdowns and 310 yards in the four games since, including beating Calhoun in the state quarterfinals in a rematch of the Week 2 loss to the Warriors on the road. It all centers on communication and execution.

“We communicate very well,” Wallace said. “We trust each other to do the job. It doesn’t put too much pressure on us to do someone else’s job. We do our own job and get it done.”

Summy may be the leader — he was the only returning starter when the season began — but all of the linemen are part of the communicative process.

“We all talk and we all help each other,” senior tackle Nathan Post said. “Above all else, we have to communicate.”

Changes to the lineup have made that even more imperative.

Kadin Niekamp began the season playing guard, but he was moved to fullback when Genenbacher was switched to quarterback. That’s when this group — Jack Weese, Brayden Hummer, Summy, Wallace and Post — collectively took control.

“The coaches do a great job of preparing them and making sure the linemen are all on the same page,” Central coach Brad Dixon said. “This group really understands what it has to do.”

That’s open holes. Genenbacher has rushed for 947 yards and 19 touchdowns, while Niekamp has 649 yards and nine touchdowns. Konner Bush has 489 yards, Zack Wear has 394 yards and Peters has 351 yards and nine touchdowns.

“We’ve incorporated more QB runs into the game plan this year,” Summy said. “Elijah has run plenty of guys over. Kadin is super fast and big as well. Zack is a great blocker and he can run you over. Nate is doing a great job. Our whole backfield works together very well.”

All told, the Panthers average 6.7 yards per carry and 299.3 yards rushing per game. Facing an Althoff defense that has held six opponents to seven points or less, the Panthers realize every yards and every inch will matter.

“There is a lot of confidence going into it,” Wallace said. “We played them last year and we know what they’re going to try to do. We’ve seen the film. We just have to go out and execute.”