MAXWELL, CA (MPG) – With the Panthers jumping out to a 30-0 lead by halftime and a running clock starting near the end of the third quarter, there was little doubt to the outcome of Maxwell’s 38-7 victory over Portola last Friday night in a Mid-Valley League affair.
With a large homecoming crowd in attendance, it didn’t take long for the tone to be set when after holding the Tigers to a three and out on the game’s initial possession, the Panthers needed just five plays to march 75 yards for their first touchdown which was capped by a three-yard burst by Erik New who went untouched into the end zone.
Then just and a half minutes later, Maxwell added on as the defense again stuffed Portola, giving the offense the ball at the Panthers’ own 42 yard line.
From there, following a 19-yard run by New, Tanner Vierra took the ensuing handoff and weaved his way 39 yards for Maxwell’s second score of the night.
It was more of the same in the second quarter, with the Panthers dictating the tempo of the game and blowing the Tigers off the line as they put together an 11-play drive highlighted by Luke Pearson powering in for the score from three-yards out.
Maxwell then put its final points of the first half on the board a minute and a half before intermission with a short run by New who took it in for his second touchdown of the game.
Coming out in the third quarter the Panthers lost some of their focus, when after receiving the second half kickoff their drive stalled and despite a great stand by the defense, they turned it over after fumbling the ensuing punt back to Portola.
Still, with the Tigers unable to gain any traction offensively, Maxwell got the ball back for what was their final possession of the evening.
This time it was Levi Velasquez, who had been crowned homecoming king prior to the start of the contest, doing it himself with a four-yard run to the house.
Velasquez continued his strong performance this season, completing eight of 13 passes for 133 yards in addition to rushing for an additional 50 yards and a touchdown.
Although Portola did score a late touchdown with the Panther starters on the sideline, the game was over soon thereafter as the clock continued to run.
New had a good night carrying 14 times for 116 yards and two scores, as did Pearson who rushed for 40 yards and a touchdown to go along with three catches for 35 yards.
While satisfied with the victory, Coach Lane Davis saw room for improvement in his squad’s performance saying, “Our line was really physical tonight and they’ve been playing very well. Also, I’d like to give credit to Coach Lovelace and the way he has set up the defensive schemes. He’s been right on and for the past three weeks we’ve only given up one touchdown per game. Of course, there are some mental errors that we need to clean up.”
Defensive statistics were not made available prior to the Pioneer Review print deadline.
Since its preseason loss to Redding Christian on Sept. 12, Maxwell (6-2, 4-0) has outscored its opponents 250-69 and has won five straight, but things get tougher tonight when they head to Hamilton City to take on the Braves, who are unbeaten on the season.