toledoblade.com --

Maumee just could not keep up with Avon Lake's big play scoring attack, and the Panthers were ousted in the first round of the Division II playoffs Friday night.

Avon Lake quarterback Trent Toy hooked up with speedy wide receiver Ronnie Willoughby on passing plays of 65, 38, 15, and 40 yards to down Maumee 56-35 in a regional quarterfinal at Kazmaier Stadium. The Panthers (9-2) led 14-7 after the first quarter, but Avon Lake (8-3) then scored seven touchdowns over the final three quarters.

Yet Maumee senior quarterback Jake Goatley, who finished 17 of 28 for 291 yards and three scores, rallied his team to within two touchdowns with 8:11 left. Goatley connected with Nick Gebhart on a 73-yard pass play to make it 49-35. But the Shoremen converted on two third-and-long plays and finished it with a rushing TD with 5:03 remaining.

"It hurts a lot right now because if we would have made plays at certain times, the game would have been closer," Maumee coach John Boles said. "We were only two scores down, and I really thought we had a shot to get back into it. We just didn't get it done, and they did. It was a crazy game. We made some really nice plays, but they countered. It's tough to give up so many big plays in such a big game."

The Panthers could not contain Willoughby, who runs a 4.6 in the 40. The 6-4 junior scored on four of his five catches from Toy (7 of 13 for 206 yards).

"[Willoughby] is as good a receiver that we've seen," Boles said. "We knew they could throw the ball too. They are balanced. They gave us some problems inside."

Avon Lake racked up 480 total yards (229 rushing). Maumee tallied 368 yards and had more first downs (14-11). Four Maumee receivers Gebhart (94 yards), Jake Schneider (63), Damon Contat (63), and Eric Studyvin (44) kept the Panthers in the game.

"We knew they had a potent offense, and they have some weapons," Avon Lake coach Dave Dlugosz said. "Those kids are quick and catch the ball real well. But they did not have anyone that could match up one on one with Ron. He had a career game."

Avon Lake has 53 players that are 6 feet or taller, while the Panthers have 21. The Shoremen also have 19 players that were over 215 pounds, compared to Maumee's six.

"They are a big, physical football team," Boles said. "Give them credit. They made a lot of plays."

Shoremen running back Mike Mansnerus rushed for 193 yards and two scores. Maumee junior Eric Long had a team-high 48 rushing yards.

"If it would have been closer, we would have run the ball more," Boles said.

Maumee pulled within 42-28 with an 11 play, 80-yard drive late in the third quarter as Goatley scored on a sneak. But the Shoremen converted two third downs on an eight-play drive and went up 49-28.

Two turnovers also led directly to Shoremen scores.

"That's unusual for us," Boles said.

Maumee also was penalized seven times for 60 yards.

Down by seven, Goatley was picked off on the third play of the second half. The Shoremen capitalized with a 15-yard touchdown pass to take a 35-21 lead.

Avon Lake seized a 21-point lead following a 15-yard Maumee punt. Toy hooked up with Willoughby, who pushed off a Panther defender for a 40-yard score.

The Panthers led 14-7 after the first quarter as Goatley threw for 114 yards and a touchdown while running in another. A fumble recovery by Contat set Maumee up at the Shoremen 27 midway through the second. Four plays later Goatley found Contat who made a leaping grab for a five-yard score and tied it at 21 with 5:41 left in the half.

But Avon Lake regained the lead by converting on 4th-and-5 when Toy hit Willoughby for a 39-yard score and 28-21 edge at the half. The Shoremen never trailed again.

Goatley threw for three scores and also rushed for two.

"These seniors have taken our program to a very high level. It's a tough way to walk off the field like this," Boles said "They're great kids. I don't want to think about losing Jake right now. He's the heart and soul of what we do."

Contact Mark Monroe at:
mmonroe@theblade.com
or 419-724-6354.

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