Second year Head Coach Jed Wright and the Panthers finished 2024 with a 3-7 record after going 4-7 in Wright’s inaugural campaign last season, but NPM improved in most offensive categories despite having to replace both three-year starting QB Karson Dominick and workhorse running back Cale Wagner.

Senior Cooper Shaw, who collected 30-plus receptions as a tight end in ’23, took over under center this season and led the Panthers in both passing (1,639 yards, 15 TD) and rushing (693 yards, 9 TD), while junior wideout Luke Kreger had a phenomenal season, making 60 receptions for 1,188 yards and 10 TDs.

NPM increased their passing and rushing yardage from a season ago .. 1,642-1,328 and 1,191-1,121 .. and also scored 21.5 points per game, compared to their 16 points per game in ’23.

Unfortunately, the Panthers defense allowed over 7 points more per game this season than last .. 35.8 - 28.1 and NPM suffered four losses by 25 points or more and three that reached the mercy rule.

After opening the season with a 37-12 loss to Wyalusing (4-6) the Panthers earned their first win with a 35-0 drubbing of Sayre (1-9), where Shaw ran the ball 29 times for 184 yards and two scores. 

NPM fell behind Towanda (9-3) 21-0 in the first half and fell 21-6 and then came up short in a shootout with Canton and fell 51-40 despite 430 yards and 5 TDs passing by Shaw and a 9 catch, 264 yard, 3 TD effort from Kreger to drop to 1-3 on the season.

The Panthers got their second win in Week 5 when they scored 10 4th-quarter points and beat Athens (5-6) 16-14. 

NP-Mansfield then ran into three of the top teams in District IV. They led Class 2A finalist Warrior Run (8-5) 24-21 before halftime before falling 70-24, lost 59-20 to Class A champ Muncy (10-2) and finally dropped a 56-13 match-up with 2A champion Troy (13-0) to sit at 2-6 on the season.

Cowanesque Valley (4-6) took a 17-0 lead and held off the Panthers for a 23-15 win in Week 9, setting NPM up for their rivalry game with Wellsboro (2-8) in the final week of the season. 

The evenly-matched Panthers and Hornets battled through all four quarters before NPM sealed the 28-27 win, ending their season on a high note by retaining the Morton F. Jones Trophy. Shaw ran for 154 yards and 3 scores and threw for 113 more and a TD to lead the Panthers in the season-redeeming win.

Joining Shaw as newcomers in the NPM backfield were seniors George Perry, Brayden Pequignot and Riley Oakes. Perry had 40 carries for 173 yards and Oakes had 29 totes for 178 yards while each scored a pair of rushing touchdowns. 

Sophomore Colton Pellett complimented Kreger’s 60 catches with 22 grabs good for 168 yards and a TD, while Oakes had 13 catches for 164 yards and 3 touchdowns. Another bright spot for the Panthers’ offense was first-year sophomore placekicker Brody Grinnell, who hit 14-of-15 extra point kicks and 2-of-3 field goals.

Defensively, Shaw led NPM with 62 tackles from his linebacker spot, adding a sack and two interceptions, while Pequignot, who was a welcomed returner to the Panther program for his senior season, tallied 51 tackles and a sack. Seniors Luke Sexauer, Perry and Braden Route had 48, 45 and 40 stops on the year, while George Valentine, who missed the first half of the season, finished with 39 tackles in five games played. 

Kreger and Shaw each had two picks, while Pellett and freshman Sudan Benner each had one. 

Coach Wright and his staff will look to take a step forward next season with a group of returning players heavily featured by Kreger, while replacing a strong senior class that includes Shaw, Pequignot, Isaiah Kling, Oakes, Valentine, Ryan Roupp, Perry, Route, Sexauer and Lucas Moore.

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