Maumee ends regular season with big win over Otsego to nail down home playoff game

Maumee coach Evan Karchner greets his players as they come to the sidelines after halftime warmups. / Pride of the Panthers

By JEREMY SCHNEIDER

IMA SPORTS

There have been plenty of meaningful games for Maumee football over the last couple of years, both positively and negatively.

The opinions vary on their favorite games, the one loss that really stuck with them was nearly unanimous — a loss at Otsego in Week 10 last year, which knocked the Panthers out of the playoff race.

So it’s not a stretch to think Friday’s 41-17 win over the Knights at Kazmaier Stadium was especially sweet for Maumee.

“Last year standing on that field, that was a sick feeling in my stomach because I knew they kicked us out of the playoffs,” Maumee coach Evan Karchner said. “Our kids wanted that. Our kids were locked in.

“Like it or not, I think there’s a little natural rivalry there with Otsego. I don’t know why, but it just seems like it. Otsego is a good football team. … I think this league is going to flip. I think Otsego and Maumee is going to be up there battling, and I’m looking forward to it.”

Some of the seniors from last year were at Friday’s game, including Chase Maulucci, Liam Murphy and Josiah Millin.

For Cody Wulf, a member of this year’s senior class who sat out last year’s game with an ankle injury, getting this win was important as redemption for the Class of 2024.

“I didn’t even play last year, watching my guys lose, I didn’t want to see that again,” Wulf said.

“They’re the reasons I love football. They’re the reason I still play. After going 0-10 my sophomore year, I could have quit, but I didn’t want to let down Liam (Murphy). Having people like that in my life is awesome.”

Wulf was nearly unstoppable on Friday night. He rushed for 178 yards on 27 carries and two touchdowns. He also turned a middle screen pass late in the first half into an 83-yard score that staked Maumee to a 21-10 lead at the break.

Wulf’s big score was only one of a handful for the Panthers. Of their offensive scores, three covered at least 34 yards. Keishon Midcalf had a 37-yard TD rush, and Carson Graetz weaved his way to a 34-yard TD on a pass from Ben Kubicz.

Sophomore Eli Dodson had maybe the biggest play of the game, jumping an Otsego pass for an interception and returning it 65 yards for a score early in the second half and a 28-10 lead.

While last year’s loss to Otsego closed the door on Maumee’s playoff hopes, the Panthers were already locked in before this game. However, the win solidified Maumee’s spot at No. 5 in Division III, Region 10.

The Panthers will next face Lexington (5-5) in the first round of the playoffs at 7 p.m. Friday at Kazmaier Stadium.

Both Wulf and fellow senior Robbie Burlew were still in awe of finishing 8-2 overall and 5-2 in the Northern Buckeye Conference and making the playoffs immediately after Friday’s game.

“It still hasn’t clicked yet, probably until Monday when all of the sudden we’re in Week 11,” Wulf said. “I’ve never played another week, usually this is my last game. It’s crazy to think about. I’m just proud of my teammates and coaches and everything we did.”

Photo courtesy of Pride of the Panthers

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