Steven Zomberg photos.

Davenport’s 37-10 defeat of Bowling Green is the start of a demanding final push in their fall season.

The Panthers have already players Western Ontario and the Chicago Lions (both losses), as well as Western Michigan and Bowling Green (both wins). Coming up is Indiana, Notre Dame College, and Arkansas State.

“It’s a good schedule, especially since we’ve had to fit games in with regular conference seasons,” said Davenport Head Coach James Wood. “This fall is very self-focussed for us. We’re trying to get ourselves squared away and playing as a cohesive unit. We’re still looking for a full 80-minute performance.”

The game against Bowling Green was close, at least for the fact that it’s still early in the season. Grandville product Anthony Welmers is back for his final season and gave the team a veteran boost at center. Brady Gent out of Rockford has been most to outside center and seems to have responded. The player who emerged this week was Kevin Stachler, who was a wing and was moved to flanker.

He showed a strong motor and good running lines in support of line breaks, and Wood said that’s something his team needed.

So it was a good performance against a team that wins games, and looking ahead the Panthers will play three more imposing teams.

“The whole plan is to prepare for the Mid-South season,” said Wood. “I don t know if anything preps you for the Mid-South, but we’re doing the best we can.”

It’s a start.