Article published October 31, 2009
Maumee rings in title
Panthers rip Jackets for share of NLL
Maumee running back Eric Long rushed for 155 yards and scored on runs of 13 and nine yards. The Panthers won the Ding Dong Bell and secured a spot in the state playoffs with their win.
 VIEW: WEEK 10: Maumee - Perrysburg photo gallery
(
THE BLADE/DAVE ZAPOTOSKY
)
|
By MARK MONROE
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
Maumee resoundingly met its goals Friday night as the Panthers captured a league title, a coveted trophy, a playoff berth, and a rout of its rival at Kazmaier Stadium.
A crowd estimated at 5,200 witnessed Maumee trounce Perrysburg 42-12 in the 50th battle for the Ding Dong Bell. The Panthers led just 14-12 at the half, but they reeled off 28 unanswered points to capture their first Northern Lakes League title since 2001.
Maumee (9-1, 6-1 NLL) earned a share of the league championship with Southview. Perrysburg (7-3, 4-3) had trouble moving the ball (206 yards) and stopping its main foe (442 yards) and most likely will miss out on the playoffs.
Maumee senior quarterback Jake Goatley completed 20 of 26 passes for 202 yards and rushed for 64 yards. Goatley also threw four touchdown passes.
"This is exactly what we wanted to do," Goatley said. "There is always a little extra in the Maumee-Perrysburg game. We knew both teams would come out fired up. We took it to them and dominated tonight."
Maumee junior running back Eric Long rushed for 155 yards(8.6 per carry). Long scored on a 13-yard run and on a nine-yard reception.
"It's wonderful. We haven't beaten Perrysburg here since 2001," Long said. "We worked and prepared for this. Our names are going to be on that banner forever - 2009 NLL champs. Of course we had to have the bell. That was an added bonus."Maumee - Perrysburg
Goatley stuck the dagger with a 39-yard bomb to speedy Erik Studyvin to give the Panthers a 35-12 advantage with 10:22 left.
"It doesn't get much better than that, winning at home," Maumee coach John Boles said. "It's just a thrill. This game is a lot of fun. It's great for our school. I'm so proud."
Sophomore Jake Schneider got the home crowd to its feet with an electrifying 87-yard punt return early in the third quarter. Kevin King and Damon Contat came up with key blocks and Schneider took it up the sideline for a 28-12 lead.
The Panthers opened the second half with Long's 25-yard run followed by a 32-yard scamper by Goatley. Long then scored on a 13-yard sweep as Maumee went up 21-12.
"He broke a lot of tackles and got a lot of yards on his own," Boles said. "Great players come up with big plays in big situations."
Maumee out gained Perrysburg 208-84 in the first half. But the Yellow Jackets got 48 on one pass play and scored on special teams.
"We've been playing better and better defense all along," Boles said.
Four receivers caught TDs for Maumee led by Studyvin (62 receiving yards) and Contat (57). The Panthers averaged 7.5 yards per play.
"It's hard to match up with the best running back in the NLL and the best quarterback in the area," Perrysburg coach Matt Kregel said. "You can take one away, but they'll find other ways to get you."
The game was played in gusty winds and a Perrysburg punt that went only eight yards set Maumee up at the Yellow Jacket 28. Goatley connected with Nick Gebhart on a 15-yard pass play for a 7-0 lead with 2:13 left in the first quarter.
On the first play of the second quarter, Perrysburg's Nick Schrader blocked a punt, picked up the loose ball and returned it 49 yards for a score. But Contat blocked the extra point and the Panthers still led 7-6.
Maumee scored on the ensuing possession on an eight play, 80-yard drive that was capped when Goatley hooked up with Long on a nine yard screen pass.
But Perrysburg QB Matt Slocum (9 of 22 for 104 yards) lofted a long pass after good protection and hit Dan Noland on a 48-yard pass play. Slocum then threw a screen to his freshman brother Steve (53 rushing yards), who took it in from five yards out. Mike Wilkins' interception on the two-point attempt and made it 14-12 with 3:23 left in the half.
"You're a pretty smart coach when you have good players. We have a lot of options," Boles said. "We've had to win every game for four straight weeks. Perrysburg is a really good team and we had to play well and we did."
Contact Mark Monroe at:
mmonroe@theblade.com
or 419-724-6354.
Permanent Link
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
ADVERTISING SECTIONS
|
|
|
|
More columnist stories |
|
|
|
|
|
|
News Headlines
Business Headlines
Sports Headlines
Features Headlines
|
|
|
VIEW : 
Search
advertisement
