Maxwell-Fall River no strangers in championship meet

For the fifth consecutive year, Maxwell High has a date for the Northern Section Division V title game.

But if the high-flying Panthers are to break through and capture their first championship since 2006, they must first get past an old nemesis and hated rival — Fall River.

The schools have some history.

In the last two years, the Panthers and the Bulldogs have battled it out in four title games — two in baseball and two on the gridiron. On all four occasions, Maxwell has ended up on the bottom end of the scoreboard.

Add to the fact that tonight will be Maxwell's sixth title game in eight years and Fall River's fifth in seven, it's clear that they are the class of the division.

It didn't look that way early when the Panthers' stumbled to a slow start with junior quarterback Tyler Wells learning the spread offense on the fly.

After four games, Wells had just one touchdown pass and nine interceptions while the Panthers staggered to a 1-3 start. The only win — a 22-21 decision over a 1-9 Williams team.

But once Wells mastered the offense, everything fell into place. Since that time the junior has tossed 14 touchdown passes to just three picks. Not surprisingly, Maxwell is a perfect 7-0 and has averaged 44 points per outing.

While Wells has also ran for eight scores, he does have some weapons at his disposal.

Senior Gerardo Parra has found the creases out of the backfield for 802 yards and 13 TDs on the ground while averaging a solid 7.57 yards per tote. On the outside it's been junior wideout Steven Perry, who has racked up 767 yards and eight TD grabs.

Parra is all over the place on the other side of the ball as well, while junior linebackers Derek Mench and Aaron Wilson . Defensive lineman Joe Davis controls the line of scrimmage.

Fall River's two losses came against Division IV powerhouses Portola and Modoc, who enter tonight's semifinals a combined 19-0 on the year.

The Bulldogs' 34-26 loss to Portola was telling considering Portola has seven shutouts and has surrendered just 38 points through 10 games.

Maxwell's three losses came against Portola, Colusa and Fall River and all three are still playing.