08/02/2025
The Coach C Cat Daddy Report – Championship Edition
Written by Coach C – SemiPro GameDay
🏈We have finally made it to the last day of the 12th season of the CMFL. With only two contenders left, tomorrow night we will crown a new champion in this incoming battle of many things: The Haves vs. the Have-Nots, the Elite vs. the Up-and-Coming, the OGs vs. the YNs. All with a potential trip to the National Title Game on the line.
The Oklahoma Bears come into this game ranked the #1 3A team in the nation, with Co-Head Coach of the Year Kevin Cox at the helm. This incredibly talented team comes in with 10 First-Team All-CMFL players, and that talent has been taxing on the rest of the league as they have paid The Gold Standard. Led by QB Garrett Griffith, WR/Return Man Daniel Knighten, and Lineman of the Year Paris Williams, the Bears have steamrolled through most of the league while escaping the Tulsa Gators in their first bout and holding off a furious rally by the Joplin Crusaders. Standing at 20-1 since joining the CMFL, the Bears have their eyes set on returning to national prominence and the National Title Game.
Meanwhile, in the Gateway Conference, the Miracle in Missouri has taken place with the Kansas City Panthers roaring back to the top of the CMFL standings—and also the number one ranking in the 2A polls. Led by legendary Co-Head Coach of the Year Jimmie Ross, the Panthers have morphed into the Black Kats and have been bad luck for opposing teams all year long. Powered by five First-Team All-CMFL stars, the Panthers have clawed and bit their way back into the spotlight behind the play of OL Cor'Darius Wright and the Black Kat Defense—led by DE Christian Young, LB Tanashis Purifoy, CB Dee Neighbors, and S Demonte Pearson. With everything to gain and nothing to lose, the Panthers are looking to score the ultimate upset in this clash of juggernauts.
Who will be the new king of the CMFL?
Let’s get all the way into it!
🌟 Central Section Game of the Week 🌟
🏆 2025 Central Midwest Football League Championship
Kansas City Panthers vs. Oklahoma Bears
🖥 Live Stream on SemiPro GameDay
7 PM Kickoff
🏈Oklahoma Bears Defense vs. Kansas City Panthers Offense
This should be a very interesting matchup, as both of these units have been in the shadows of their counterparts—but this could make for some damn good football.
For the Panthers, it all starts with QB Julious Sabastiano. Sabastiano has shifted from elite game manager to big-time playmaker all season long and will face the challenge of getting the ball to his playmakers at WR due to the "Seat Belt Boyz" secondary of the Bears.
This matchup should be a good one, and both teams line up well—it really depends on who matches up where. The key here will be what the Bears’ front does against a physical Panther offensive line and run game.
We’ve seen the Bears get cooked at times this season, but once they lock in, they are tough to deal with. We've also seen the Panthers assert dominance up front with that running game—but they will turn it over if they get too cute throwing the ball. The more physical team will win this battle.
Outside of Joplin, I do not believe the Bears have seen a team this physical and talented up front who wants to run the ball down your throat. They will need all hands on deck and no one missing to deal with it. And the Panthers will have to play ball control or risk getting into a shootout if the Bears’ offense comes out swinging.
If the Panthers go over 170 yards rushing, it will not be good at all—and that is the big key.
🔑Key Matchup to Watch: Bears Defensive Line vs. Panthers Offensive Line
Advantage: Even
🏈Oklahoma Bears Offense vs. Kansas City Panthers Defense
Now this is the matchup we all came to see.
The Bears have put up at least 48 TDs this season and look to add more to that total. The Panthers, meanwhile, have had one of the most dangerous defenses in the league. Something’s got to give.
While the Bears have a considerable size advantage—especially up front—the Panthers counter with similar size on the defensive line and speed to burn everywhere else.
It all comes down to whether the Panthers’ starters can hang for most of the 60 minutes. Because when their backups come in—especially at linebacker—there’s a considerable drop-off in talent and awareness. The issue is that when the Bears sub, another guy comes in who is just as good and would start on most teams in the league.
If the Bears start to run that football, it may be all but over.
The Panthers are going to have to make the game ugly, keep the Bears in 3rd-and-long, and get home to the QB. Even then, messing with the Bears, you’re asking them to go deep—and with players like Knighten, Demorris Coleman, and Jarius Moll... it could result in six.
Hoping for the best—but it’s looking bad!
🔑Key Matchup: Kansas City Panthers Linebackers vs. Bears Skill Players and Offensive Line
After Purifoy, Will Moore, and possibly Antonio Garcia (if used correctly), who can step in to give the starters a breather without giving up a big play?
Advantage: Bears
✅️Conclusion
🏈This game has been looming since the Panthers beat the Falcons and locked up the number one seed in the Gateway.
This game could go one of two ways:
1. The Bears come out locked in and dominate from the opening whistle—blowing the doors off the Panthers.
OR…👀👀👀
2. And this one’s for that nucleus that came over from the Tulsa Gators—you’ll find yourself in a fistfight again for the third year in a row. And when the moment gets too big, you do like a kid fresh out of potty training…..and just wet the bed.
There’s no pressure on the Panthers—but it’s all on the Bears.
Are they who we think they are?
Or are they setting everyone up for another letdown?
It’s possible.
So with that said—I’M TAKING THE UPS… AHT AHT, GIMME MY COACH COX SHADES!!!
The Bears finally take what is theirs! The time is NOW!
🔮 Prediction: 48–24 Bears
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