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When Waite comes to Kazmaier Stadium on Friday night, the Indians will meet a Maumee football team that’s frustrated and hungry.

The Panthers have underperformed in a 0-2 start to the season after being heralded as one of the top teams in the Toledo area and a contender in the Northern Buckeye Conference. While Maumee showed incredible growth from Week 1 to Week 2, coach Evan Karchner said the time for moral victories is over.

“We’re frustrated, no question about it,” he said. “Losing the way we did in Week 1 wasn’t acceptable, and the Napoleon game stung because we were right there. But we also took a step forward physically, mentally and emotionally.

“I believe the coaches and players are hungry to get back on the winning side of things. We’re not interested in moral victories or ‘almosts’ anymore. It’s time to finish a game, and that’s the mindset going into Waite.”

As Springfield showed in Week 1, the Panthers will need to battle, scrape and claw for a win. Waite also enters 0-2 after falling to St. Francis (64-19) and Rossford (33-7).

“As we know well, nothing is given. Respect your opponent, but take care of your business,” Karchner said. “We’re 0-2 just like they are. We’re not in a position to overlook anybody.

“The film doesn’t lie. They’ve struggled, but they’ve got athletes, and if we don’t come out with urgency and execution, we’ll be in a dogfight. We are focused on having intense practices where we are focused on the details. We’re not talking about Waite, we’re talking about us.”

Maumee’s offense has been stuck in neutral, gaining only 512 yards and scoring four touchdowns in two games. The Panthers gave a glimmer of hope on their final drive against Napoleon, moving from inside their own 10-yard line to deep in Wildcats territory before turning the ball over on downs.

Senior quarterback Ben Kubicz finally looked comfortable and dangerous on that drive. He has completed 54 percent of his passes for 261 yards, two TDs and four interceptions this season.

“That drive showed what Ben can do when he’s confident, decisive and just playing football,” Karchner said. “We went up-tempo, simplified some reads and let him operate, and he responded. He was calm in the chaos and delivered. That two-minute sequence might have been our best offensive identity so far.

“We would love for Ben to get into rhythm earlier. Getting our skill guys the ball in space. There’s something there, but we are still figuring out our recipe.”

Kubicz and the offense will be facing a Waite defense that has yielded nearly 100 points in two games and was picked to finish last in the Toledo City League. The Indians primarily use a three-man front and play press-man coverage on the perimeter. Karchner said Maumee’s priority is winning the line of scrimmage.

On offense, Waite will spread the field and try to get its athletes in space. The Indians are led by returning starter Dayveon Holman, a 5-foot-7, 140-pound senior receiver.

Defensively, Maumee has leaned on a trio of junior linebackers in Cohen Jones, Owen Tolbert and Noah Anderson.

“They played physical and fast,” Karchner said. “Cohen and Owen’s motor doesn’t stop. They set the tone in practice and on Friday nights. It’s nice to see Noah find some success on the football field. … Those three have really bought in and are playing with confidence. We can build around that because they make the front better and give our secondary more support. It allows us to be more aggressive in our play-calling. They’re earning that trust.”

If Maumee can continue its week-to-week improvement, Friday could be the night the Panthers finally break through.

Photo courtesy of Pride of the Panthers
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