By Bill Rohn
WKTV Contributor
greer@wktv.org
Davenport seized a 49-9 halftime lead, then continued to pour it on, beating the visiting Roosevelt Lakers 75-23 Saturday.
Coach Sparky McEwen’s Panthers, who improved their GLIAC record to 3-2, 4-3 overall, set team and individual records during the win, including the most points in a single contest. Running back Cephus Harris led the onslaught with three scores plus a DU single game record 181 yards rushing on a mere eight carries, before heading to the bench midway through the third quarter.
Roosevelt, which journeyed from Chicago for the contest, fell to 0-4 in the GLIAC, 1-6 overall.
“The record feels great,” said Harris afterward, saluting his “good offensive line having your back every time. I just took the ball and ran with it.”
The Panthers held a 14-0 lead three minutes into the contest on an opening drive 4-yard pass from quarterback D’Wan Mathis to Clint Walker, followed by Vince Cooley’s 27-yard pick six interception of Laker QB Tony Chahino’s first pass.
Chahino redeemed himself with a TD pass for the visitors, but DU’s Mathis responded with a 57-yard run, increasing the lead to 21-7 at the 9:58 mark of the first quarter.
Cephus Harris stole the show
The 5-8, 215 lb. junior produced a 37-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter, a 4-yard TD run 72 seconds into the second quarter, and a team record 87-yard touchdown sprint 6:44 before halftime. Davenport also got a 7-yard score from Harris‘ running mate Kayden Collins. Roosevelt managed only a safety, setting DU’s halftime margin at 49-9.
The 40-point lead aside, DU’s McEwen felt that his team had plenty of work to do at halftime, noting that he felt his team was not finishing plays in the opening half.
“We talk about consistency around here,” McEwen said. “I felt like we got out of our own way and it’s fun to have games like that so everyone can enjoy it. Just hard work you can see paying off. We’re starting to peak and it couldn’t be a better time.
“It was nice to see it all work together today.”
The Panthers responded to halftime advice with scores on an 81-yard Gregory Asher punt return, an 87-yard kickoff return by George Sims following a second Roosevelt touchdown pass, and a 32-yard field goal from freshman kicker Ian Jenkins to lead 65-16 after three quarters.
JT Hartman added a 5-yard final quarter TD run and Jenkins hit a 19-yard field goal, making it 75-16 before Roosevelt added a TD pass with 30 seconds to play.
Du finished with 503 yards of total offense, with a school record 387 on the ground and 116 through the air.
Davenport linebacker Latrell Scott led with 11 tackles
Panther linebacker Latrell Scott had 11 tackles to go with six apiece from Jayden Cray, Myles Harris, and Nick Pulley. DU also had three interceptions and three fumble recoveries.
Davenport now continues with three straight noon kickoffs at home in November against Saginaw Valley, Northern Michigan and GLIAC leader and current national No. 1 Ferris State.
