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In bringing its record to even .500 this season, the Maumee football team has beaten two teams with a combined 1-7 record.

If the Panthers want to make it three wins in a row and truly make a statement, it’ll be much tougher with a Northern Buckeye Conference matchup at Genoa (3-1) in Week 5.

“Beating Waite and Lake was great, but we all know Genoa is a different challenge,” Panthers coach Evan Karchner said. “They’re a tough, well-coached football team and they play hard.

“This game is going to test us, but our guys are ready. We’ve had a great week of practice, and we’ve talked about how this is the type of game where we have to bring our very best. If we play with speed, physicality and confidence for four quarters, I believe we can go toe-to-toe with anyone. It’s going to be a dog fight, and we’re excited for that challenge.”

Both schools won their NBC openers last week, Maumee topping Lake 27-20, and Genoa beating Otsego 36-21.

One of the biggest reasons behind Maumee’s two-game winning streak has been growth. Karchner said his team was still figuring out who they were in Weeks 1 and 2; now, they’ve started to find their identity with wins over Waite and Lake.

“I think the biggest growth has come from finding ways to win,” he said. “We’ve started playing with more confidence and physicality, especially during crucial times of the game. That growth has been a huge factor in us getting back to .500 and building some momentum.”

The offensive surge has come from more consistent play from quarterback Ben Kubicz and the jelling of the offensive line.

In the last two weeks, Kubicz has gone 29-for-43 for 500 yards with six touchdowns and only two interceptions. Eli Dodson has caught 15 passes for 198 yards and a score during that time, and Will Kubicz has added seven catches for 167 yards and three scores.

The Panthers put up a season-high 192 rushing yards last week, with Cohen Jones carrying 19 times for 83 yards and a score and Travis Garrett Jr. adding 55 yards on 11 carries.

That balance between the rush and pass game is vital for Maumee’s success. In the two wins, the Panthers have rushed for 317 yards and passed for 500.

“For us to be at our best offensively, we have to keep defenses guessing,” Karchner said. “When we’re balanced, like we have been the last two weeks with close to a 60/40 split, it helps open everything up. Our run game helps set up explosive plays through the air, and our passing attack forces defenses to cover the whole field. It also lets us take advantage of the skill guys we have on the outside while still being able to control the clock with our run game. That balance has been key to our success and will continue to be as the competition ramps up.”

The Maumee defense will be put to the test against the Comets, who are averaging more than 40 points per game. They’re led by running back Luke Clements, who is averaging 148 yards and four TDs per game while rushing for 7.8 yards per carry. In last year’s 33-13 Maumee win, Clements managed just 44 yards on 15 carries.

Karchner knows his team must be ready for Clements, 6-foot-5 receiver Jaxon Magnone and quarterback Myles Mollenhauer.

“Genoa has two really good players in Clements and Magnone. They’re explosive and can hurt you in a lot of ways,” Karchner said. “The key for us defensively is playing disciplined and physical football. We need to do our jobs, stay in our gaps, and tackle well. We can’t afford to give them easy plays or let them get into open space. It’s going to take all 11 guys swarming to the ball and playing fast, physical football. If we do that, we give ourselves a chance to slow them down and make them earn every yard.”

Photo courtesy of Pride of the Panthers
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