Panthers Build Team Off Field, Too

Bob McCray took the Mead football team to the movies last week.

The Panthers head coach believes in the importance of off-the-field relationships.

They saw Denzel Washington’s football film “Remember the Titans” at the new theaters at NorthTown Mall.

“It taught them lessons not just about football but about human relationships,” said McCray, who took his team to “The Replacements” earlier this season. “It shortens practice so the kids kind of like that. And they’re hanging out with each other and sharing the experience with the coaches.”

Coaches and players alike were crying at the end, McCray said.

“It’s good to touch people’s hearts,” he said.

Perhaps the movie will inspire Mead tonight.

The Panthers have a big non-league game at 6:30 at Riverside High in Chattaroy against Lake City. Mead (6-1) is in first place in the Greater Spokane League and Lake City is at the top of the Border League at 7-1.

The Timberwolves came back to win last year’s matchup 42-35 in overtime at Lake City.

“Lake City last year was a wild one,” McCray said. “We had it under control going into the fourth quarter, then Lake City got us in the fourth. But that’s the way it goes sometimes.”

Lake City, ranked second in Idaho Class A-1, is a big team with five Division-I prospects, McCray said. But the Panthers know who to watch out for including Matt Stern, the 6-foot-5, 225-pound junior quarterback.

“We like playing them because they play hard,” McCray said. “They’re a good test for us.”

McCray said last year’s meeting was one of the most fun games he has coached.

Both teams opened the season with narrow losses. Lake City lost 20-19 to Sandpoint and Mead was defeated by University 9-7.