Football postgame: Paetow 28, Mayde Creek 0
Panthers surpass 2023 win total four games into 2024, register first defensive shutout of season
Paetow has won this season with a methodical, clock-chewing ground game and a stingy defense that boasts standouts on all three levels.
The recipe did not change Friday as the Panthers surpassed last season’s win total four games into this one.
Paetow registered its first shutout of the season, breaking through late to take a resounding 28-0 win over Mayde Creek at Legacy Stadium in a game that could prove to have crucial District 19-6A playoff implications when it’s all said and done.
The Panthers went to 3-1 overall, 2-0 in 19-6A. The Rams dropped to 3-2, 1-2 in 19-6A.
Paetow entered Friday ranked fifth in 19-6A in offense (22 points on 270.7 yards per game) and fourth in defense (19.7 points on 265.7 yards per game). It bested all numbers against the Rams.
Paetow thwarted a scoreless game with Terrence Johnson rushing touchdowns on consecutive drives late in the third quarter. The senior running back, 19-6A’s top rusher coming in with 489 yards and four touchdowns, had a 19-yard run for a score. A little more than three minutes later, he added a 4-yard jaunt.
Johnson’s 31-yard burst with 8:15 left in the game essentially ended hopes for the Rams, who had no answer for Paetow’s defense.
Mayde Creek totaled 177 yards and averaged 3 yards per play.
The Rams rushed for 51 yards on 24 carries. The passing game was not much better. Sophomore starter Ethan Lopez completed 11 of 26 passes for 85 yards and an interception. Senior Cole Jensen, who entered the game late during the second half as coach Mike Arogbonlo searched for any semblance of offensive continuity, completed 4 of 9 passes for 41 yards.
Mayde Creek averaged 3.6 yards per pass attempt and 2.1 yards per carry. The Rams punted five times, turned it over on downs four times and missed a 43-yard field goal.
Paetow, meanwhile, found some offensive traction in the third quarter by diversifying the run game. Specifically, getting senior quarterback Jackson Farrar involved.
Farrar ran for 50 yards on five carries, all in the second half, and that dynamic opened lanes for Johnson.
After rushing for 32 yards on 10 carries in the first half, Johnson, coming off a 315-yard, 3-TD performance against Tompkins that caught attention state-wide, produced 94 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries in the second half.
As the run game took some time to find its way, senior receiver Ikenna Nwobu was clutch for the Panthers moving the chains, finishing with a game-high 105 yards on 11 catches.
Paetow won the turnover battle 1-0, courtesy of senior defensive back Derrick Thomas’ interception in the fourth quarter, improving its district-best turnover ratio to plus-7 (eight takeaways to one giveaway).
Johnson and senior defensive back Deyjhon Pettaway spoke more about the game and season afterward.
PAETOW 28, MAYDE CREEK 0
SCORING:
Third quarter
PHS: Terrence Johnson 19 run (Omar Yaghi kick good), 4:45
PHS: Terrence Johnson 4 run (Omar Yaghi kick good), 1:33
Fourth quarter
PHS: Terrence Johnson 31 run (Omar Yaghi kick good), 8:15
PHS: Curtis Zeno 3 run (Omar Yaghi kick good), 0:41
Team Statistics
Yards rushing: PHS 32-189, 4 TDs; MCHS 24-51
Yards Passing: PHS 143; MCHS 126
Total Yards: PHS 332; MCHS 177
Passing: PHS 14-25-0, 143 yards; MCHS 15-35-1, 126 yards
Turnovers: MCHS 1; PHS 0
Penalty-Yards: MCHS 10-95; PHS 9-85
Individual Statistics
Rushing – PHS: Terrence Johnson 22-126, 3 TDs; Jackson Farrar 5-50; Curtis Zeno 2-14, TD; Jordan Bedford 2-7. MCHS: Ethan Lopez 9-32; Ansel Carter Jr. 4-14; Christian Bradford 4-8; Michael Shifatu 3-4; Chad Nelson 2-1; Cole Jensen 1-(-3); Kosi Okpala 1-(-5).
Passing – PHS: Jackson Farrar 14-25-0, 143 yards. MCHS: Ethan Lopez 11-26-1, 85 yards; Cole Jensen 4-9-0, 41 yards.
Receiving – PHS: Ikenna Nwobu 11-105; Terrence Johnson 2-30; Jeremy McCullough 1-8. MCHS: Daylin Robinson 7-62; Chad Nelson 4-23; Christian Bradford 1-19; David Matthews Jr. 1-14; Ansel Carter Jr. 2-8.