Opportunistic Panthers rout University

It’s been a star-crossed season with roller coaster results for Mead football this year, but things were definitely upbeat for the Panthers Thursday on senior recognition night at Joe Albi Stadium.

Six second-quarter touchdowns, three of them coming in the final 1 minute, 10 seconds, propelled Mead (5-3) to a 55-0 romp over University (2-6).

After starting Titans quarterback Tony Tabish was sidelined by an injury late in the first period with his team trailing 3-0, things came apart.

His replacement, Ian Craig-Scott, passed three times in the second period. All three were intercepted and led to Panthers scores. Two other TDs came following lost fumbles as the halftime lead ballooned to 45-0.

A sixth turnover in the third quarter resulted in another Mead field goal and the victors scored on a fifth straight possession to dispatch a team that had, only the week before, given Lewis and Clark fits at home.

“After their big explosion on offense against an extremely tough LC, we were pretty nervous going in,” Mead coach Sean Carty said. “But their quarterback got hurt, and with him in there it’s a big difference on offense. Without their No. 1 gun, it makes things tough.”

Mead used up half the first quarter on its initial field goal and got a big play from Ryane Laforte to take a 10-0 lead 2 minutes into the second quarter.

What appeared to be a U-Hi interception instead turned into a batted grab by the Panthers’ senior receiver, who gained 25 yards. He went 20 yards on a Max Kayser pass for the TD.

“Instead of it being 7-3 – it was going to be a pick to the house – Ryane stabs his hand in there somehow, comes up with the ball and we’re on the move,” Carty said. “I wouldn’t say it was the turning point, but I would say it was scary. (Trailing) 7-3 is a lot different than (leading) 10-0.”

The steam went out of U-Hi’s players thereafter. Following the first interception, it took only four plays for Mead to rush by the poor-tackling Titans. Seth Moore made it 17-0 from 19 yards out.

The next play was another interception. Laforte juggled and held on for 23 yards and a 24-0 lead.

In the final 1:20, two lost fumbles and a third interception led to three one-play scores from 25 yards or closer.

“We got a couple of breaks at the end of the quarter,” Carty said.

Laforte finished with six first-half catches for 95 of Kayser’s 150 passing yards. Moore rushed for 78.

U-Hi managed just 32 first-half yards and nearly half of their game total came on a 41-yard pass in game’s final 2 minutes.

“The kids played well and the backups got in, so we got a little better,” Carty said. “Right now, in the near future, we’re going to try and be 7-3. That would be a good season for us.”