The Eric Pettway era as River Rouge head football coach got off to a slow start Saturday against Cedar Springs, Saturday at the Xenith Prep Kickoff Classic at Wayne State's Tom Adams Field.
River Rouge lost Corey Parker to the University of Toledo as a defensive backs coach after last season.
With veteran quarterback Christian Johnson struggling and going out with a sprained right knee, Rouge went to sophomore McKale McDowell. He responded, helping the Panthers to 22 points in the second half of a 22-0 victory.
"I was trying to stay prepared on the sidelines and help my team as much as I possibly could,'' said McDowell. "They're defense was tough, but I prepared for it all offseason. I have to give my guys' credit. They went out there and made plays. Coach Parker left, but the transition has been smooth because coach Pettway has been here.''
Bogged down for a half, Rouge put together a scoring drive, with Johnson hitting Michigan State recruit Nicholas Marsh for a 21-yard gain to the Cedar Springs one.
"I was in,'' said Marsh. "I didn't go out of bounds.''
On the next play McDowell, who spent time at quarterback in the third quarter, scored with three minutes, 53 seconds left in the third and Cameron Broadnax scored on a two-point conversion run gave the Panthers an 8-0 lead.
With McDowell at quarterback, the Panthers (1-0) offense started rolling.
"He has grown up in the program since he was little,'' said Pettway of McDowell. "He was a ball boy. He was a little disappointed about being a backup. The one conversation we had I told him to keep everything in perspective. Be ready and he showed it. Very proud of him. Everything we talked about in practice was just being ready.
"The one thing we have talked about was doing your job and staying focused; trust your brother and keep working. That's what brings a championship culture.''
McDowell hit Marsh with a 32-yard strike with 8:21 to play, giving the winners a 16-0 lead after McDowell hit Jaylen Watson with a two-point conversion pass.
Broadnax put the finishing touches on the game with a 48-yard run to put the winners ahead 22-0.
Cedar Springs Wing-T provided and interesting challenge for the Rouge defense as Ryan West ripped off a 54-yard run in the first quarter before the defense held.
River Rouge offense struggled with penalties in the first half, killing drives as Johnson seemed unsure under center.
Cedar Springs methodically drove the ball down the field midway through the second quarter, taking advantage of a couple of encroachment penalties on Rouge, allowing the offense to keep pounding away in the middle of the Panthers defense.
Rouge's defense held, securing a scoreless first half.
