Panthers roll over Southridge 39-7
Mead hurts self at times but still has plenty of offense
The good news for the Mead football team is it is off to a 2-0 start.
There should be some caution, though, about the fast beginning under first-year coach Benji Sonnichsen.
The Panthers have many things to shore up – mostly on offense – before they open Greater Spokane League 4A play next week against heavily favored Gonzaga Prep.
Still, Mead overwhelmed the Southridge Suns 39-7 in a nonleague game Thursday at Albi Stadium.
“This is a work in progress,” Sonnichsen said. “We came out and did some things really well that put some pressure on them. These penalties hurt us when we got into the red zone and took some momentum out of us.”
Quarterback Thomas Dammarell hit speedy Samson Brown on a 61-yard touchdown pass late in the third quarter on the first play of a possession, giving the Panthers a 32-7 lead.
It’s a good thing the TD came on the first play. It seemed the longer the Panthers possessed the ball, the more opportunities that were presented for shooting themselves in the toes.
The Panthers have quick-strike ability to be sure. But as quickly as they can move down the field they thwart their own momentum.
The margin of victory could have been much more substantial.
Mead opened the fourth quarter taking advantage of a Southridge miscue on a muffed punt. Sam Bown recovered the fumble in the end zone, stretching the lead to 39-7.
The Panthers lived in Southridge’s half of the field in the first half, but Mead didn’t have the points to show for it.
If it weren’t for placekicker Conaire Shaffer, the Panthers would have had scored just a touchdown.
Shaffer made three field goals of 27, 41 and 46 yards. He added one from 35 in the second half.
“We have a great opponent next week,” Sonnichsen said. “We have tons of work to go. We’re going somewhere with this team. We’re building into these guys that we’re a playoff team. We have to work like that. It’s not given to you. We’re excited for the challenge.”
Mead’s defense was stellar, allowing just 45 yards in the first half. When the Panthers weren’t going backward, they had 191 yards total offense. But eight penalties for 74 yards stymied a couple drives.
The Panthers’ best offensive series came early in the second quarter. Taking the ball at midfield, Mead used seven plays before Dammarell, scrambling left, threw against his body and found Brady Carpenter in the end zone for a 14-yard touchdown.