By Ray Hamill — The Panthers left it late on Saturday, but they managed to overcome some first-game setbacks to pull out an opening-day victory for the second straight year.
A young and resilient McKinleyville team that featured four starting sophomores trailed for much of the afternoon but dug deep in the final minutes.
And it was two of the sophomores who helped secure the win.
Quarterback Corben Green connected with receiver Everett Grutzmacher for a 65-yard passing touchdown with under four minutes remaining for the go-ahead score.
And with the Mack defense playing well all afternoon, that would prove to be decisive.
“I was happy with the boys’ resiliency,” McKinleyville head coach Jason Benge said. “They dug deep and we were able to pull it out.”
While there were several bright spots for the team, it was far from pretty at times.
Typical for an opening game, there were far too many penalties — penalties Benge described as good calls — as well as several dropped passes and frustrating moments.
But Green displayed a lot of composure and did not allow the setbacks to take him out of his game.
He was particularly impressive with some of his decisions and did not try and force the ball, throwing just one interception in his first varsity start.
He completed 20 of 31 passes for 213 yards and the long TD, while also rushing for 46 yards.
Green wasn’t even supposed to be the Panthers’ starting quarterback this year but was brought up from the JVs when Trevor Marsh told the team he would be transferring in the summer.
Check out Everett Grutzmacher’s interception below …
Two other Mack sophomores — Brycen Phillips and Cameron Heldebrandt — also had a huge impact after being brought up the varsity along with Green and Grutzmacher.
Phillips, a defensive end, led a strong defensive performance with two sacks, while Heldebrandt ran the ball hard and finished with 52 yards on nine carries.
Many of Heldebrandt’s yards came in the fourth quarter when his team needed them the most.
“He picked up some tough yards,” Benge said.
Grutzmacher led the receivers with 80 yards, including the game-winning score.
Also impressing for the Panthers defense were outside linebackers Wes Montgomery and Francisco Mendez, who finished with eight and seven tackles, respectively, while senior Brayton Sotelo lived up to his billing as a team leader and set the tone for his teammates on and off the field.
“He kept us calm and had a halftime talk with the boys,” Benge said. “His leadership really helped.”
The whole Mack defense impressed and kept the team in the game while the offense struggled to find its rhythm for the opening three quarters.
In addition to Phillips’ two sacks, Coltyn Rasella also had two sacks, while Gavin Lyons had one sack, giving the Panthers five for the game.
“Our defense, just all game long, stepped up after that first touchdown and played really well,” Benge said.
Grutzmacher also had a big first-half interception, while Gunner Grande added 55 yards on four receptions.
McKinleyville’s first score of the day was a third-quarter safety when a high snap on a Cloverdale punt attempt sailed out of the back of the end zone.
Next up, the Panthers will travel to play Fort Bragg.
In JV action on Saturday, the Panthers opened the new season against St. Bernard’s and lost an exciting game 30-27.
