Article published November 06, 2009
Maumee ready for tough test
Avon Lake owns 20-13 playoff record
By MARK MONROE
BLADE SPORTS WRITER
Maumee makes a bid for the third playoff win in school history tonight with a balanced offensive attack and formidable defense.
The Panthers (9-1) host postseason veteran Avon Lake (7-3) in a Division II regional quarterfinal at 7:30 p.m. Maumee (9-1) has scored 39.7 points per contest and has given up just 11.1.
"We feel like we've played well," Maumee coach John Boles said. "We've worked hard and we're well prepared. It's a matter of going out and seeing if we are good enough. We have good kids. When you
get to this point everyone is good."
The Panthers have reeled off five straight wins and captured a share of the Northern Lakes League title. They average 167 rushing yards and 188 passing yards per game.
"We've found different ways to score," Boles said.
The Panthers have qualified for the playoffs seven times, including four straight years (2001-04). They have a 2-6 all-time tournament record.Avon Lake has made 15 appearances and have a 20-13 playoff record. In 2003, the Shoremen beat Maumee 41-7 in the second round en route to a state title. This season Avon Lake has gained 348 yards per contest and yielded 211. The Shoremen have scored 29 points and have given up 12 per game.
"They run the ball extremely well. That is their identity," Boles said.
Senior Mike Mansnerus has rushed for 1,487 rushing yards and has scored 20 touchdowns for Avon Lake.
"Their running back is good. He hits the holes extremely well," Boles said. "They can throw too. They've hit some long passes. You can't get lulled into the run."
Leading the way is offensive lineman Christian Pace (6-3, 270), who has committed to play at Michigan, and Dan Schneider, who will play at Pittsburgh.
"They have good size at full back and offensive line," Boles said. "The rest of the kids are very physical."
Maumee counters with versatile senior quarterback Jake Goatley. The fleet-footed Goatley has rushed for 492 yards and passed for 1,853 yards. He has completed 69.5 percent of his passes (130 of 188 passes) and has tossed 28 touchdowns.
Senior wideout Damon Contat has 11 touchdown catches and 663 yards receiving. Contat also leads the defense with 15 tackles for loss.
Junior running back Eric Long has scored 18 TDs and rushed for 844 yards. Linebacker Evan Karchner has a team-high 68 tackles, lineman Kevin King has 14 sacks and defensive back Erik Studyvin has five interceptions.
Maumee's lone setback this season came in week 5, a 37-20 loss at Anthony Wayne. The Panthers shutout defending Division II state champion Southview (19-0) but still shared the NLL title with the Cougars who won their third straight title.
Maumee comes into the contest as the fourth seed in Region 6 and Avon Lake is the fifth seed.
Avon Lake quarterback Trent Toy had a slow start this season, but has connected on 16 of 22 passes for 373 yards and five TDs over the last three games. Receiver Ronnie Willoughby (6-4) has been timed at 4.6 seconds in the 40-yard dash.
The defense has been the key to the Shoremen's six-game winning streak, allowing only 37 points in the those contests. Defensive end Brian Mihalik is weighing an offer from West Virginia.
"They threaten you and they put seven up at the ball and blitz at different angles," Boles said. "We have to be ready for it."
Mansnerus ran for 225 yards and scored three times against Amherst Steele last week to help Avon Lake win a Southwestern Conference title.
A crowd of more than 5,200 last Friday at Maumee's Kazmaier Stadium watched the Panthers clinch home field advantage with a 42-12 rout of rival Perrysburg.
Tickets for tonight's game can be purchased for $7 at the high school before the game and $9 at the gate.
"We'd much rather play at home," Boles said.
"I'm sure we'll have a lot of
supporters. We'll need to play well."
Contact Mark Monroe at:
mmonroe@theblade.com
or 419-724-6354.
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