Mead’s defensive line proved perilous for Frederick and its standout quarterback Friday.

And this is just the start, they say.

The Mavericks chased Gavin Ishmael in the backfield most of the night, tallying multiple sacks — and perhaps none bigger than defensive end Dresden Spendlove’s takedown that forced a fumble near midfield in the third quarter. And because of it, Mead shut out the visiting Golden Eagles in the second half to win 16-14.

“Our D-line core is phenomenal, the best it has been in years,” said Spendlove, who also came within inches of recording a safety on one of his other sacks. “We have some crazy pressures and our coach is a mastermind.”

Though, adding, “I’m not complacent.”

Mead (2-0) took the lead on its first possession after halftime as quarterback Christian Hiner connected with a wide-open Noah Vroman down the middle of the field for a 69-yard score. Its defense, headlined by a dominating effort in the trenches, then did most of the work from there — forcing three punts and a fumble on four Frederick drives after the break.

“We’ve been working all summer, getting bigger and stronger,” said junior Carter Woods, another of Mead’s top-tier pass rushers. “When it comes to beating on the O-line, we’re going to be faster. And we’ve worked our butts off, so that’s what we expect.”

Ethan Elmore scored on a 21-yard run to open the game, and Eli Davis added a 30-yard field goal for Mead, which much like the second half was in control most of the way in the first.

That is, until Ishmael changed the game’s complexion on a 39-yard touchdown pass to Sonny Delpizzo on fourth-and-14 late in the half. His throw — placed at near perfection onto the junior receiver running down the far sideline — revitalized a dormant offense that didn’t gain a first down on its first four possessions (the worst of which ending with a turnover on downs at its own 10-yard line).

He then helped Frederick (0-2) take a 14-10 lead on its next possession, using both his legs and arm on a 41-yard march. Senior running back Tristen Dean finished it on a short run with 11 seconds left in the second quarter for his first TD of the year.

All that momentum gained. Gone by the time they returned from the locker rooms.

“Nothing really changes, it’s the next game,” said Ishmael, who already has multiple offers to play QB in college. “I can’t get stuck on this game, though it probably played out the worst way I would have wanted. A leader is someone who comes back the next week and plays harder, trains harder, they work harder, they prepare better. That’s what I got to do.”

Frederick will face Skyline next Friday. Mead has a bye week before it travels to Greeley West on Sept. 20.