Senior-led Panthers defense ready to roll

Published 7:15 pm Thursday, July 30, 2026

PALMYRA, Mo. — There is plenty of experience and talent on the Palmyra defense.

Palmyra returns four All-Clarence Cannon Conference defensive selections and a total of eight starters to its defense.

Panthers defensive coordinator Dalton Huffman is entering his fourth season on the job and has helped coached up a senior-heavy group that know his schemes inside and out.

“The defense is looking really good,” said Palmyra head coach Justin Hutchings. “Coach Huffman does a phenomenal job with our defense. They’ve been in this scheme for a long time. They understand it, especially from junior high. He’s a great teacher and we have a lot of weapons returning to our starting defense.”

Palmyra made a significant defensive improvement last season, going from opponents averaging 32 points per game in 2024 to 22.6 points per game in 2025.

All eight of Palmyra’s returning defensive starters are seniors.

“I feel great about our defense,” said Palmyra senior defensive end and outside linebacker Henley Snow. “Most of us have been here for four years and we’ve all learned everything, and we have mostly memorized it.”

Snow was a second team All-CCC selection after making 54 tackles, five sacks, 10 stops for a loss and had three forced fumbles last season as a hybrid defensive end and outside linebacker.

“My strength is being able to use my speed,” said Snow. “I use to it get around all the bigger boys.”

Palmyra also returns Ace Harper and Jared Ridout to its defensive line, with the latter making 24 tackles and five stops for a loss last year. The Panthers will have to replace All-CCC first teamer Colby Jones up front.

The Panthers graduated linebacker Raeson Miller, but has several emerging options at linebacker — senior Griffin Scifres, junior Max Heimer and sophomore Remmi Todd.

Palmyra’s most experienced linebacker is senior Logan Kroeger, who had 52 tackles, one sack, five stops for a loss and two fumble recoveries.

“We have some young guys coming up,” said Palmyra senior Wyatt Augspurg. “Remmi Todd at linebacker is somebody to definitely keep an eye out for because he’s worked hard and he’s improved a lot since last year.”

Wyatt Augspurg was a first team All-CCC selection at linebacker last year after making a team-high 95 tackles as well as getting one sack, 13 stops for a loss, four interceptions, two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries.

This season, Wyatt Augspurg will switch to safety to replace the graduated Tyler Spicknall.

“The switch is going pretty good,” said Wyatt Augspurg. “I played seven-on-seven in the spring, and that’s where I started at safety. So coming in with a little bit of experience after a couple of months playing safety versus very good talent, I’m pretty confident.”

Two other key members of the secondary are seniors Daxton Schlueter and Pierce White.

White was a first team All-CCC cornerback who compiled 38 tackles, five stops for a loss and three interceptions last season. Schlueter had two picks, one forced fumble and 18 tackles last year.

“I love our defense,” said Palmyra sophomore Kason Augspurg. “Coach Huffman does a great job with that. I love our D-line. Our linebackers are big. Corners with Pierce and Jaxon are good. Pierce has been getting way better over the offseason, and I look forward to seeing what he can do this year.”