Modesto Panthers Outlook

Coach: Rod Long

Career record: 44-59

Record at school: 44-59

Last year: Modesto (8-3) lost to three teams with a combined 27-10 record, but that includes losses the last two weeks of the season to Enochs (14-7) and Monterey Trail (45-38). A season-ending injury to RB Jaron Ingram early last fall impacted the offense, but Modesto still scored 35 a game.

Last league title: 2009

Last playoff berth: 2010

Coaching staff: Don Wallace, Scott Vincent, Dan West, Troy Long, Alex Luna, Billy McGill, Ryan Green, Keith Parker, Eddie Pesaleli.

Top returners: LB/FB Brandon Wheeler (5-9, 185), TE/FB/LB Julian Gallo (6-1, 210), OL/LB Peter Teo (6-0, 190), OL/DL Nestor Garcia (6-1, 290), LB/G Chris Figueroa (6-0, 220), WR/D Cesar Ruiz (5-10, 150), DL/OL Bobby Greene (6-3, 235), DL/OL Brent Taylor (6-3, 230), QB Ian Miller (5-8, 180).

Top newcomers: RB/DB Blake Perez (5-8, 180, Jr.), RB/DB Strat Stavrianodakis (5-9, 160).

Outlook: The Panthers lost virtually every skill player from last year, including QB Klayton Miller (2,735 yards offense 27 TDs) and RB Arquel Rogers 1,397 yards offense, 23 TDs), and explosive Ingram is not playing after a devastating knee injury his junior season. That means Perez and Stavrianodakis could see plenty of carries as the Panthers try to control games with their running game and a solid OL that has four starters back. TE Gallo (22 catches, 14-yard avg.) will be a reliable target for Ian Miller (9 of 11, 93 yards as a junior). Seven starters return on defense, with Wheeler, Gallo and Teo forming a strong LB unit.

Key game: Modesto visits Downey in its Week 6 MMC opener, and the loser is going to be a longshot to win the title since both have Enochs and Beyer remaining. Modesto’s first four games are against teams that went to the playoffs last season, so we’ll see how the schedule strengthens the Panthers.