PRAIRIE CITY – It was a year of close calls for the Prairie City football team.

The Panthers lost three games after leading in the first half in 2008. They led Mitchell/Spray at halftime before losing 34-20 after two starters left with injuries early in the second half. Prairie City also led Adrian and Harper before giving the games away in the final minutes. They fell 42-40 to Adrian and 30-24 to Harper.

Prairie City finished the season 3-5 and in sixth place in Special District 6, while Adrian finished 6-2 and in third place. Adrian earned the final district playoff spot. However, if the Panthers had secured those three earlier wins or at least the two close games against Adrian and Harper they would have found themselves in the playoffs.

“We were in the chase for the playoffs,” Prairie City coach Scott Hoberg said. “If the ball had bounced a little bit differently we would have been in the playoffs. We had three seniors who made some big plays. It wasn’t a lack of effort. We’re just not an experienced team.”

The Panthers had 11 underclassmen on the team including five freshmen. However, Prairie City’s three seniors had a strong season and all were included on the all-district teams twice.

Brandon Crisler was selected as a second-team fullback and honorable mention defensive back. Colton Schulze was picked as a first-team running back and defensive back. Dylan Hendriksen earned a spot on the second team as a linebacker and honorable mention for quarterback.

Although the Panthers will lose three two-way starters, they will gain a more experienced team next season. They will have 13 players returning and expect several more to move up from the middle school team.