Four Downs: Maumee vs. Bowsher

By JEREMY SCHNEIDER

IMA SPORTS

Friday night figures to be one of the most anticipated home games in recent memory for the Maumee football team.

It’s been 330 days since the Panthers have played a regular season game at Kazmaier Stadium, since last year’s game against Fostoria.

Add to that the hype and excitement surrounding Maumee and its dominant 2-0 start to the season, and the Kaz should be rocking for the 2024 home opener against Bowsher.

The Panthers figure to be heavy favorites against the winless Blue Racers, but as head coach Evan Karchner said on the podcast this week, if the better team always won, why play the games?

Here are four storylines to keep an eye on.

Keep the focus on Bowsher. Yes, the Blue Racers are winless and have been outscored 82-14 this season. And yes, Maumee beat Bowsher 42-0 in last year’s meeting.

That doesn’t mean the Panthers can take the week off, though. This game is in the perfect position for a “trap game” – with big wins over Springfield and Bryan fresh in their memories and a monumental clash with Oak Harbor looming in Week 4, Maumee has every reason to overlook Bowsher.

As Karchner is known to say, though, this week is a perfect chance for Maumee simply to get better. While the Panthers have put up 96 points and allowed only 22 in two weeks, they’re far from perfect. Taking this week and the opponent seriously can get them closer to being the team they want to be.

Treading in unfamiliar territory. With a win Friday night against Bowsher, Maumee can start the season 3-0 for the first time since 2009.

Do you know what else happened in 2009? The Panthers hosted their last home playoff game.

Now, I’m not saying … but …

Can the Panthers keep feasting on turnovers? Karchner said forcing turnovers was a big focus for the defense this offseason, so much so that he’s devoted parts of practice to actually getting better at it. He hasn’t done that in years.

So far, it’s paying off. Maumee has forced six turnovers in its first two games. Combine that with the 182 yards per game the Panthers defense is allowing, and the defense has been on fire.

In last week’s 38-8 loss at Genoa, Bowsher had multiple snaps fly over the quarterback’s head. Be on the lookout for the Panthers to swarm and scoop up some easy turnovers.

Home sweet home. Maumee won three of its five home games last year, and the Panthers are looking to defend their home turf even better this year.

Maumee has home games against the Blue Racers, Oak Harbor, Genoa, Rossford and Otsego this year. Not an easy road to travel, but if they can go undefeated at the Kaz, you really have to like their chances in the Northern Buckeye Conference title chase and possible postseason play.

In our podcast episode this week, Karchner said the coaches are happy to be at home, at least. There’s less planning, less stress, less to do with a home game. You can imagine the players feel the same way.

Maumee fans traveled well to away games at Springfield and Bryan, so the home stands at the Kaz figure to be jam packed.

Photos courtesy of Pride of the Panthers

Reach IMA at insidemaumeeathletics@gmail.com