The Panthers faced their biggest challenge of the season thus far on Friday night, and while they didn’t get the result they were hoping for it was another impressive performance by a program that remains on course for a return to the postseason this year.
McKinleyville hosted Fortuna and lost 40-27, but the game remained in the balance for much of the night, as the Panthers matched up well against one of the most consistently competitive programs in the H-DNL and a perennial North Coast Section contender.
There were several standouts for the home team, which dropped to 3-1, including some youngsters who are quickly establishing themselves at the varsity level.
Ultimately, however, it was a game they allowed to get away from them.
“We made too many mistakes,” McKinleyville head coach Jason Benge said. “Too many penalties, too many holding calls, too many offsides. If we had limited our mistakes, we might be looking at something different. But hats off to Fortuna, they have a great program. That offense is so hard to stop.”
Sophomore quarterback Corbin Green had another big game for the home team, throwing for 321 yards, exactly the same numbers he put up in a 27-0 win over Arcata two weeks ago.
Green also passed for two TDs and and ran in for another, completing 24-of-42 passes.
The Panthers started strong, with Green completing a 46-yard TD pass to receiver Gunner Grande on the very first play from scrimmage.
The junior receiver is enjoying an outstanding season and has over 100 yards receiving in two straight games, pulling down five receptions for 105 yards on Friday night, as well as adding 22 yards on his only run of the game.
He also had a big pick six in the third quarter, a play that “kind of sparked us and lit a fire,” according to Benge.
Braylon Sotelo also had a TD reception and finished the night with 46 yards receiving on three catches, while Everett Grutzmacher continued his impressive season with 103 yards on eight catches.
Robert Pool added 45 yards receiving on four catches.
“It was another good passing game by (Green),” Benge said. “He made a couple of mistakes and had two interceptions, but to his credit he still came back and battled.”
The Panthers enjoyed a better second half.
“It wasn’t so much that we made adjustments, it’s just doing the job you’re coached up to do and knowing your assignments,.” Benge said. “We limited them to only one touchdown (on offense) in the second half.”
Senior linebacker Wes Montgomery also had a good game for Mack and led the team in tackles with 14.
Linebacker Francisco Mendez and defensive lineman Colton Rasella each also had good games for the home team.
“We could have folded against a good team like Fortuna, but they stayed the course and made every play the most important play of the game,” Benge said. “We played much better in the second half.”
The Panthers travel to play Eureka next weekend.
