Panthers lean on DeGrave to lead new-look offense

Published 6:53 pm Monday, July 27, 2026

MONROE CITY, Mo. — Monroe City is in steady hands with senior quarterback Wyatt DeGrave returning behind center as a three-year starter.

DeGrave is a dual-threat quarterback that can run and throw, and is also the unquestioned leader of the Panthers’ offense.

“My strengths are being a leader and my throwing ability,” said DeGrave.

That leadership will be even more important this season with the graduation of several key offensive standouts.

“I kind of already had a leadership role last year and my sophomore year being the quarterback,” said DeGrave. “Just stepping it up from my sophomore year to my junior year, and then again having to step it up this year. So it’s not new to me, but I need to take a bigger role.”

DeGrave combined for 20 touchdowns between the ground and air last season, completing 38-of-64 passes for 871 yards and 15 scores and carrying the ball 51 times for 284 yards and five more scores.

“Wyatt’s an excellent athlete,” said Panthers head coach David Kirby. “He understands what we’re trying to accomplish on the offensive side, and he does it at a real fast pace. I feel that his decision making has gotten a lot better throughout the years, and I expect him to really attack this season at a high level.”

In his sophomore season, DeGrave had similar numbers and completed 48-of-87 passes for 983 yards and 15 touchdowns.

“Wyatt’s been my quarterback since middle school, so I think he’s progressed quite a bit,” said Monroe City senior lineman Layne Chinn.

New-look backfield
DeGrave’s leadership will be even more important with Monroe City graduating Quincy Mayfield, Jayden Holland and Payton Hetheriton, its top-three rushers from last season.

Mayfield was the Clarence Cannon Conference Offensive Player of the Year after making 185 carries for 1,444 yards and 21 touchdowns, and is now preparing for his freshman season at Truman State.

Holland was a first team All-CCC fullback after rushing 214 times for 1,223 yards and 22 touchdowns, while Hetheriton was a second team All-CCC running back after carrying the ball 93 times for 949 yards and six scores.

Monroe City has a fresh group of running backs ready to step up to fill those spots in the Wing-T offense.

“I think they’ll really prove themselves this year,” said Chinn. “They got some big shoes to fill, but I think they can fill them.”

This year’s backfield will be led juniors Blaize Kauble and Collin Potterfield, as well as sophomore Wes DeGrave, Wyatt’s younger brother.

“They’ve always been there,” said DeGrave. “I’ve always played with them, so I know how good they are. I got my brother back there, so I’ve been working with him. Collin works really hard and Blaize is going to run really hard. So I’m excited for everything.”

Wes DeGrave had 20 carries for 189 yards and three touchdowns in limited playing time last year, with Kauble running 17 times for 80 yards and a score.

“Those kids got a lot of reps last year,” said Kirby. “All three of those kids played in some pretty big playoff games last year. They got touches. They have great JV seasons and now it’s just next man up. They understand what they got to do when they get back there. I’m not dropping my standard. They’re going to rise up. They’re going to elevate their level of play and they’re going to have a really great season.”

Changes at receiver
Monroe City also has a lot of turnover at receiver, with Mayfield, wideout Cole Hays and tight end Abram Smyser graduating.

Hays was a second team All-CCC wide receiver, leading Monroe City in receiving after catching 13 passes for 360 yards and four touchdowns.

The Panthers have several options in its receiving group, including senior Da’ Viere Holland and juniors Michael Spalding and Tymere White. Monroe City could also utilize its running backs at receiver.

“We’ve got Da’ Viere Holland and he’s got great hands,” said Kirby. “Tymere White is going to be out there as well, and he’s a super sharp kid who’s athletic. We have Michael Spalding. He’s a sharp kid and he just finds a way to get open. We’re really excited about that group.”

Smyser was a second team All-CCC tight end after catching five passes for 119 yards and four scores.

Monroe City will lean on senior Julian Moss to be a dual-option tight end for catching passes and blocking.
“You know, Julian Moss is a stud,” said Kirby. “He put in a lot of hard work this summer. He looks the part. He understands what it takes to play at a high level at the tight end position. So I’m excited to see what he’s going to bring to it. He’s the next real good one in the receiver spot.”

The Panthers are excited about how their new offensive starters will perform with full playing time.

“We got quite a few people staying and we’re getting some new people in,” said Chinn. “They’ve all practiced and had game reps. I think we’re pretty strong on offense.”

Reworking the line
Monroe City graduated three starters from last year’s offensive line — Kyle DeLaporte, Blake Pfanner and Toby Sapp — the latter two were All-CCC selections.

The Panthers do return senior Zach Smith, who was a honorable mention All-CCC lineman, as well as fellow senior Kole Whitener.

“Zach Smith, Kole Whitener and (tight end) Julian Moss all had fantastic seasons last year on the offensive line,” said Kirby. “Adding Layne Chinn to the offensive line is going to be a really good addition. We’re excited about that group. They’re an extremely athletic group and extremely fast.”

After earning CCC Defensive Player of the Year Award last season on the defensive line, Chinn will also play on the offensive line this year.

“I’ve been practicing at it,” said Chinn of joining the offensive line.

Monroe City has several players competing for the open spots on the line.

“Most of them are seniors and we have a junior, so I’ve played with all of them,” said DeGrave. “So I feel very protected because they’ve been protecting me for a long time.”