Four Downs: Keys for Maumee vs. Bryan

By JEREMY SCHNEIDER

IMA SPORTS

If you feel like last week's 41-8 win over Springfield was just the start of something big for Maumee, you aren't alone.

In various way-too-early looks at mock computer polls and potential playoff seedings, the Panthers (1-0) are firmly inside the picture in Division III, Region 10.

Let's not get ahead of ourselves, though. One game does not a season make.

Here are four factors to watch out for in tonight's game at Bryan (0-1).

Cody Wulf was one of the key Panthers last week who went down with severe cramping. / Pride of the Panthers

1. Can the Panthers keep cramping at bay? Maumee had some serious issues with cramping last week, and the weather wasn't all that hot.

At different points, key players like Carson Graetz, Cody Wulf, Keishon Midcalf and others went down with cramps.

Thankfully, missing those guys for parts of the game didn't hurt the outcome, but it's only a matter of time before it does.

And this week's game is supposed to be HOT. The forecast in Bryan calls for temperatures in the 80s at kickoff, and it won't dip below 80 degrees until well into the second half.

These Panthers are talented, absolutely, but that talent can do little when its on the sidelines being stretched out by a trainer.

2. Can the Maumee defense continue its improvement? We all knew the Panthers offense was going to be powerful. They averaged 35 points per game last year, and every single skill position player returned from that squad.

The defense, on the other hand, was a question mark. It gave up around 34 points per game last year, including 42 points and more than 400 yards on the ground in last year's meeting with Bryan.

Last week, though, Maumee's defense looked better than I could have imagined. Players were swarming to the ball. The defensive line owned the line of scrimmage. And while they gave up a few big chunk plays, it was a bend-but-don't-break look as the Panthers came up with four turnovers.

Maumee coach Evan Karchner knows his defense has to play better than it showed last year. He knows his offense can't simply keep outscoring everyone. There will come a time when the defense will be called upon to win a game.

For one game, at least, this defense looks up to the task.

3. Can the Golden Bears get it going on the ground? Last year, Bryan could do whatever it wanted in the running game, rushing for 436 yards and five touchdowns.

The good news for Maumee? Sam Herold and Jase Keppler have both graduated. Those two accounted for 355 yards and four scores, averaging more than 10 yards per carry.

Back is Damien Wolfe, who rushed for 81 yards and a TD in last year's meeting. Wolfe had 128 yards in last week's 48-8 loss at Van Wert.

If Maumee has any motivation to win this game, it starts with stopping the run.

4. Can Maumee survive the road trip? The Panthers are packing up the buses after school and hitting the road for the 55-mile trip to Bryan.

Sure, there are longer road trips -- Maumee will take one later this season to Fostoria -- but that's more than an hour in a hot, stinky school bus.

How will the Panthers respond? I'll reference back to the cramping issues they had last week. That amount of time stuffed in a school bus won't help.

The Panthers will need to be fresh and ready to go once their feet hit the ground in Williams County.

Photos courtesy of Pride of the Panthers

Reach IMA at insidemaumeeathletics@gmail.com