Panthers Reach .500 with Shutout Win

Mehlville football coach Eric Meyer was not sure the last time the Panther defense recorded a shutout as it did in a 14-0 victory over Marquette Friday night in a Suburban West Conference contest.

"I am sure it was when "The Man" was coaching," Meyer said.

"The Man" was legendary Panther coach Gary Heyde and it has been a long time since Heyde was patrolling the Mehlville sideline.

"Coach (Dale) Gegg said it all when he said that it has been eight quarters now that we have not allowed a touchdown," Meyer said.

Gegg is the defensive coordinator for a team which allowed just two field goals the previous week against Fox.

"It's finally starting to sink in on defense," said linebacker Dan Kerckhoff, who had three tackles for losses in the first half. "We have some good coaching and the right players in the right spots and we are making plays. We have a lot of confidence right now."

The Panther defense had three interceptions Friday with Patrick Partee, Brendan Moore and Avery Anderson each picking off one.

Moore, who is only a sophomore, had an outstanding game with seven tackles and a sack in addition to the interception.

"We are just going out there and playing good solid football on defense," Meyer said. "The guys are battling and playing with discipline. We are just not giving up a lot. The defense played great and we did just enough offensively early in the game."

All of the points were scored in the first half and both touchdowns came on the same combination.

Jeff White hit Partee for a 16-yard touchdown pass late in the first quarter.

The pair combined again midway through the second quarter, this time for 15 yards.

The second half was a defensive standoff with 10 possessions and no great scoring opportunities.

"Offense is about making plays and we just are not making plays," Marquette coach Ryan Thornhill said. "Mehlville did the same thing we thought they would do. We are not passing the pass well so they loaded the box and dared us to throw."

The shutout was the second in a row and third for the season for the Marquette offense. Lindbergh blanked the Mustangs 20-0 last week.

Marquette fell to 2-4 while Mehlville improved to 3-3. The Panthers play Parkway South at home next week.