CORTEZ – With its home stadium packed with Panthers, both current and alums, the M-CHS football team wanted to unveil their new look.
As the kids say, this Panther team has some serious drip.
A completely revamped offense electrified the Homecoming fans with a barrage of explosive runs, with the Panther O-line having their way in a 51-24 victory over Bayfield.
Junior Tay Wheat broke the school record with seven rushing touchdowns, including five from over 25 yards out, to help the Panthers to their third straight win.
The defense, meanwhile, limited the potent Wolverine offense to a single score in the second half as the Panthers topped Bayfield for a second straight year, and kept their postseason aspirations alive.
M-CHS jumped out to a two-score lead right out of the gate, with Wheat striking from 26 and 52 yards to give the Panthers a 13-0 advantage.
“We’ve adjusted the offense to fit the personnel that we have,” said fourth-year head coach Ivan Mack of his team’s focus on power football, “and it’s really allowed us to emphasize our strengths.”
Bayfield (0-6, 0-1 2A IML) climbed back into the game with two long scores of their own from senior Donovan Candelaria. His second of his three touchdowns – a 26-yard sprint early in the second quarter – closed the gap to 19-12.
M-CHS and Bayfield traded Wheat and Candelaria scores to head into the locker room in the midst of a shootout, with the Panthers in front 27-18.
From there, M-CHS (4-3, 2-0 2A IML) took command of the game, stymying the Wolverine offense and leaning on their own dominance at the point of attack – including a huge day for a senior-laden Panther front five – to spring Wheat free for second half scores of 67, 12, and 1 yard to collect the septet of touchdowns and earn the school record.
“It was a whole team effort to get Tay the opportunities to bounce outside and do all the things he does so well,” added Mack, “the offensive line was excellent, as were our receivers and backs in maintaining their blocks.”
On the other side of the ball, the Panthers were able to make some adjustments to keep the Wolverines at bay.
“The defense plays with a lot of heart and soul, and they take pride in shutting down the opposing team’s offense,” said the Panther head coach, “and having the offense going now has really allowed our defense to flourish, too.”
M-CHS now travels to Pagosa Springs (3-3, 0-1 2A IML) for a massive league showdown with major playoff implications for both teams. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 13 from Archuleta County.
