Pine Island cementing itself as team to beat in Section 1-3A

Pine Island cementing itself as team to beat in Section 1-3A

PINE ISLAND — The Pine Island High School football team knows it has an opportunity to do something special this year. A new-look Section 1, Class 3A — with Stewartville and Lourdes moving out — opened the door for the Panthers, who return a strong core from last year's section runner-up team. Some of those players were key players for the Panthers' baseball team that won a state championship in June. Thus, a deep playoff run is the expectation.…