The Washington football program has been top dog in the Mid-Illini Conference the last few years but this year, with integral parts of those two teams graduated, the challenge will be to maintain that place at the top.

Coach Todd Stevens indicates they spent the summer challenging kids and taking advantage of the competition season with some top-tier programs in central Illinois.

In the midst of that competition, Coach Stevens saw his kids get better. An emphasis was put on giving back, and he felt his kids embraced that this summer.

While he has a lot of positions with holes to fill, Coach Stevens has a lot of returning players that he is excited about and a quarterback battle that has been very fruitful this summer.

With competition stiff in the Mid-Illini this year and several programs with multiple standout athletes, that place at the top is going to be a fight for Coach Stevens' Panthers. 

Washington opens the season at Niles Notre Dame.