Senior class leaves lasting impact on Maumee football program
- Jeremy Schneider
- Nov 1, 2024
- 2 min read
By JEREMY SCHNEIDER
IMA SPORTS
It would have been easy for any of this year’s Maumee football seniors to walk away from the game two years ago.
Not only were the Panthers coming off a third straight winless season, but now they were also facing the prospect of playing for a new coach. It all added up to a perfect opportunity for any of these players to quietly step away from the gridiron.
For the 11 seniors who were honored before Friday’s final regular season home game at Kazmaier Stadium, they’re sure glad they stuck it out.
That new coach turned out to be Maumee alum Evan Karchner, who injected a new vibe into the program. In two short years, the Panthers have gone from winless to hosting a home playoff game.
Maumee ended the regular season with an 8-2 record and the fifth seed in the Division III, Region 10 bracket. The Panthers will host Lexington at 7 p.m. Friday at Kazmaier Stadium.
Karchner is quick to point out, though, none of this is done without the incredible talent and personalities of his senior class — Cody Wulf, Tristen Dotson, Bryson Bonds-Crawford, Carson Graetz, Keishon Midcalf, Blake Wagener, Donovan Mays, Robert Burlew, Espn Hurt, Pierce Simpson and Michael Conrad.
“They’re talented but it’s not like we’re world beaters; we’ve lost some close games,” Karchner said. “But I’ll tell you what, there’s a couple of things this senior class did and one of them that was huge for us is, when we came in here, I told them my vision. It took a little bit, but they bought into to who I was.
“I told the seniors when we did our senior walk-thru in our last practice, thanks for believing in me. They didn’t have to do that. I’m just happy they did. I’m proud of them. They’re going to be Maumee football players for the rest of their lives.”
The impact made on the field has been easily measured for this class. Wulf rushed for 1,011 yards and 17 touchdowns this year after rushing for 960 yards and 11 TDs in an injury-shorted junior season. Gratez leads this year’s team with 34 catches for 670 yards and eight scores, after being the leading receiver a year ago as well.
For Karchner and the entire program, though, this class has made an immeasurable impact that will last long after they’ve hung up their helmets.
“I’m just a little bit lost for words,” Karchner said. “... This feels good to be in a position to be successful and have our kids have smiles on their faces.”
Photo courtesy of Pride of the Panthers
Reach IMA at insidemaumeeathletics@gmail.com
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