MAXWELL, CA (MPG) – It’s no secret that in football winning the turnover battle is a key to victory, and proof of that was on display last Friday night in Maxwell, as the hometown Panthers capitalized on four first half turnovers to overwhelm the Modoc Braves, 38-0.
Maxwell scored early and often to put the game away, starting on the second play from scrimmage, when Noel Velazquez recovered a Brave fumble on the four-yard line, then, from there, scored on a quarterback keeper on the Panthers’ first offensive play, just 46 seconds into the contest.
Fortune again aided Maxwell, on its second possession, when after holding Modoc to a three-and-out, a shanked punt put the Panthers in business at the Modoc 48. Five plays later, Maxwell was back in the end zone as Velazquez connected with Rudi Gonzalez, who weaved his way through traffic to score from 17 yards out.
But it wouldn’t take long for the Panthers to strike again, capitalizing on the second Modoc fumble, when Brody Jones raced 20 yards into the end zone, capping a three-play drive.
Just halfway through the first quarter, Maxwell took advantage of yet another Brave fumble, deep in its own territory, as Jones took another handoff and burst untouched up the middle from three yards away.
The Panther offense didn’t get much rest, however, because following a sack by Gonzalez, Macklin Kuska intercepted a pass inside the Modoc 20, which resulted in an 8-yard touchdown pass from Velazquez to Robert Waite, on the first play of the second quarter.
Throughout the remainder of the half and the third period, Maxwell did not add to its 32-0 lead, but the defense forced two more turnovers and kept the Braves at bay.
With the clock running in the fourth quarter, the Panthers got their final points of the game on another Velazquez keeper, this one from eight yards out.
Velazquez finished the night with 55 yards rushing and 81 passing, while Gonzalez carried eight times for 80 yards to pace the offense.
Despite their success in putting points on the board, the defense was equally impressive, bending, but not breaking, to preserve the shutout and, in the process, force seven turnovers.
Tanner Vierra finished the night with a team high nine tackles and an interception, while Isaac Iniguez and Eric New made eight tackles apiece. Gonzalez also had a big night for the defense, logging six total tackles, a fumble recovery, and a sack.
Head coach Lane Davis was proud of his squad for maintaining its focus throughout the contest and specifically acknowledged defensive coordinator Conner Lovelace’s contribution to the game plan.
“I told them at the half to keep playing hard, because in my 50 years in football, I know that in games like this, when you’re undisciplined, injuries happen,” said Davis. “I also thought Coach Lovelace put together a great defensive scheme tonight.”
Maxwell (1-1) hopes to carry over its momentum into tonight’s Cascade Valley League opener when Redding Christian comes to town.
