MAUMEE, Ohio — Maumee overview:
2023 Record: 5-5 (Missed Playoffs)
Head Coach: Evan Karchner (2nd year)
Top Returning Players:
Tristen Dotson, Senior LB (2nd Team All-NBC)
Carson Graetz, Senior WR (2nd Team All-NBC)
Cody Wulf, Senior RB (2nd Team All-NBC)
2024 Schedule:
WEEK 1 8/23 @ Springfield
WEEK 2 8/30 @ Bryan
WEEK 3 9/6 vs. Bowsher
WEEK 4 9/13 vs. Oak Harbor*
WEEK 5 9/20 @ Eastwood*
WEEK 6 9/27 @ Lake*
WEEK 7 10/4 vs. Genoa*
WEEK 8 10/11 vs. Rossford*
WEEK 9 10/18 @ Fostoria*
WEEK 10 10/25 vs. Otsego*
*Denotes Northern Buckeye Conference game
You'd be hard-pressed to find a team that accomplished history yet still felt disappointed. That's exactly how Maumee views the 2023 season after narrowly missing the playoffs with a .500 campaign.
"5-5 is nowhere we want to be. We were unsatisfied last year," senior Carson Graetz said. "A lot of us know how to win and we aren't losers. Nobody on this team is a loser, we know how to win."
When Panther alum Evan Karchner took over the program, he made it clear the narrative surrounding the team would change. He backed that up with a 27-20 victory over Springfield to open the year, snapping a 34-game losing streak.
"We should expect to win every Friday and prepare that way," the Maumee head coach said. "You could tell that the guys' minds are starting to shift that way. It's a process for us but they're ready to roll and we're ready to take that next step forward."
An accomplishment the community celebrated heavily. Yet, aiming small is no longer a part of the culture as they now strive to right that wrong of a postseason appearance. Maumee football has not advanced to the playoffs since 2010.
"Last season was a big letdown for us because we wanted to make the playoffs bad," senior Tristen Dotson said. "It was a big goal for us and this year that's the goal still, we want to win some playoff games."
Up front, the Panthers are having to replace four of its five starting offensive linemen. That means the skills on the outside will be leaned upon early on this season. A unit that provides plenty of experience and talent.