Northwest Falls to Mehlville 49-22 in Season Opener

The football team came out and scored 42 points in 24 minutes to kick off the 2012 football season. The Panthers soundly defeated the Northwest Lions 49-22 at Northwest. 

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“Our kids made plays when they had to,” Mehlville coach Eric Meyer said. “The key was moving the ball around and we completed some big passes.”

The coach credited linemen Zack Merritt, Alex Pulcher, Jimmy Sellers, Nick Franey and Connor Besancenez with blocking that led the offensive charge.

Mehlville scored once more after the first half when Darrius Williams ran into the end zone with two minutes left.

“Mehlville’s a very, very good team,” Northwest coach Nick Hoth said. “They’re big and strong up front and they’re very athletic.”

Hoth, who took over the program this year, said he was extremely proud of his team’s never-give-up attitude. 

“I hate to lose, but we’ve got a lot bigger things to worry about than wins and losses with this program,” he said.

The coach was impressed with the team’s junior quarterback, Adam Roth. 

“I’d love to see how many yards he ended up with tonight; he just ran wild,” Hoth said. Roth rushed for 187 yards in 17 carries. 

Andrew Erxleben and Clint Grobelny were also keys on offense and added eight tackles each on defense. 

Northwest faces local rival Seckman next Friday, while Mehlville plays at home against Fort Zumwalt North.

*This story was updated Monday with statistics from the game.