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Oak Harbor scored 22 straight points over an eight-minute span in the second half, blowing open a close game and thumping Maumee 60-36 in a Northern Buckeye Conference matchup on Friday.

The Panthers climbed back from a 24-7 deficit in the second quarter to trail 38-30 late in the third quarter. Ben Kubicz had two touchdown passes and Cohen Jones ran for another during the rally.

However, the Rockets (7-2, 4-2 NBC) squashed any comeback hopes and took a 60-30 lead midway through the fourth quarter.

The 60 points were the most Maumee has given up in three seasons under coach Evan Karchner, topping the 56 Oak Harbor scored in last year’s contest. The last time the Panthers allowed more points was a 62-14 loss to Eastwood in September 2022.

“We’ve prided ourselves on playing disciplined, team-first defense all year, and Friday wasn’t our standard,” Karchner said. “Credit to Oak Harbor, they executed well and took advantage of our mistakes, but a lot of it was on us. We didn’t tackle or limit the explosive play well enough to beat a team like Oak Harbor.”

The Rockets totaled 428 rushing yards, tripling the average number of ground yards the Panthers defense had allowed through the first eight games. Seven of Oak Harbor’s touchdowns came on runs.

Blake Nickel rushed for 219 yards and a touchdown, while Brennan Butzin ran for 55 yards and scored four times. The Panthers also surrendered four plays of at least 60 yards—all resulting in scores. That follows a game against Otsego in which Maumee allowed 201 yards on three scoring plays in the second half.

“Tackling is definitely a concern after a game like that,” Karchner said. “You can play perfect defense, but if you don’t finish a play, it doesn’t matter. We need to continue to work on being physical, communicating and doing our job play-to-play. Those things go into winning football. We’re not far off, it’s just about doing the little things right consistently.”

Offensively, Maumee put up its best performance of the season, rolling to 531 total yards, including a season-high 334 through the air. The Panthers have now scored at least 35 points in four straight games.

Kubicz completed 15-of-30 passes for 334 yards with touchdown strikes to Braidon Linn (four catches, 75 yards), Travis Garett Jr., and Jones. Eli Dodson hauled in five passes for 106 yards—his fifth 100-yard game of the year.

Jones added 102 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, the second time in three games he’s topped the century mark. Kubicz contributed 86 rushing yards and his first rushing TD of the season.

“I was proud of how we responded on offense and made explosive plays when we needed them,” Karchner said. “Our guys stayed aggressive and took advantage of opportunities. But at the same time, we left points on the field. We stalled in a couple drives where we shouldn’t have and we had a few turnovers. If we clean those things up, we will be hard to beat.”

The loss was a humbling one for the Panthers, who had won three straight and five of six overall. Maumee fell to 5-4 overall and 4-2 in the NBC, missing a chance to clinch a playoff berth with a win.

“You tell them the truth. It hurts, and it should hurt. But you also remind them that everything we’ve worked for is still right in front of us,” Karchner said.

Maumee will close the regular season at home Friday against Eastwood (7-2, 5-1 NBC). A win would secure the Panthers’ second straight playoff appearance.

“Week 10 is a playoff-type game and this group has earned the right to play in one of those,” Karchner said. “Our message is simple: you don’t get to feel sorry for yourself. You get up, you learn from it, and you fight. We’re going to coach with energy, show them the path, and make sure they know we still believe in who we are and what we can accomplish. This season isn’t over yet.”

Photo courtesy of Pride of the Panthers
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