Echo community correspondent Amanda Dodge contributed to this story.
Hesperia was unable to get the win Friday against a strong Ravenna team, falling 50-21, but with a whopping seven freshmen in the starting lineup, coach Tyler Fehler felt like he saw several promising signs for the future of his team.
"This is the best we've played Ravenna since I've been here," Fehler said. "We started out well. We can play with these guys at times. It's just putting
it all together. We're young, but that's no excuse. It's a step forward. We just need to grow from it."
Through a quarter, the Panthers (1-5, 0-3 West Michigan Conference Rivers) had battled Ravenna to a standstill, as the score was tied 8-8. The Bulldogs were able to wear Hesperia down as the game went along, scorig 27 unanswered points to build a 35-8 lead at halftime.
Ravenna's offensive dominance spoiled an efficient passing performance from quarterback Tucker Bolles. The freshman signal-caller was 14-of-21 passing for 168 yards and a pair of touchdowns, both to Eli Edens. Edens caught nine of Bolles' 14 completions, ran for 71 yards on the ground, and was also named homecoming king at halftime.
Hesperia's Ryan Fuentes (with ball) tries to bull into the end zone during Friday's game against Ravenna. Joel Kantola (56) is among the defenders for Ravenna. Hesperia dropped a 50-21 decision.
Another freshman, tackle Mackie McKinnon, also stood out to Fehler, not so much because of his statistical production - though he did have six tackles - but because he has a motor that seemingly never lets up.
"I talk about
the dude all the time," Fehler said of McKinnon. "He's the only player that I've seen - he's a
freshman, so he's 14 - and he's not come out (of the game). He's played every play of
offense and defense for the entire season. Nothing against anybody else,
but getting winded, they need a
breather here, a breather there. The dude is like a camel. He's got water
in his hips or something."
Noah Walker led the defense with nine tackles and Edens had eight.
With so much youth on the team, each passing game offers learning opportunities as the inexperienced roster adjusts to varsity football - especially against opponents the caliber of Ravenna.
"To
be in a dogfight like this, it's just good growth," Fehler said. "I think we
learned a lot about ourselves tonight and about what it takes
to get wins against quality football teams and what that looks
like."
It doesn't get easier for the Panthers, who face Mason County Central next week. Though the Spartans are 2-4 on the season, Fehler said he thinks they are as hard-nosed and physically tough to go against as any team in the WMC Rivers.
"Everybody's got strengths and weaknesses, but those boys are tough," Fehler said. "We've just got to play
tough. Simple as that. We're going to be able to throw the ball. They
play man coverage all over the field, and I like to throw the ball. We'll have chances."
