The Stevens Point Area Senior High School Panthers football team came out running on Thursday night, taking a quick lead and not stopping until the game ended in a 59-7 victory over the Wausau East Lumberjacks.

The Panthers took a quick lead in the first quarter with 17 unanswered points beginning with a 20-yard field goal by #5, junior kicker Joey Dorgan. A 19 yard touchdown pass from #19, junior quarterback Beau Rosenthal to #11, senior wide receiver Grant Czaikowski brought the score to 10-0. To finish off the first quarter, a 39-yard touchdown pass  from Rosenthal to #1, senior WR Victor Kizewski increased the lead 17-0.

The Cardinals only touchdown came three and a half minutes into the second quarter when a 1-yard fullback dive by #30 fullback Chad Simon.

Then Kizewski and #20, junior RB Gus Turner-Zick picked up a touchdown each and brought the score to 31-7.

The Panthers sealed the first half after a failed field goal attempt by the Lumberjacks at the end of the second quarter. Kizewski, acting as QB, connected with Turner-Zick on a screen pass for another TD and ending the first half 38-7.

Three unanswered TDs by SPASH ended Thursday night’s game including a 54 yard punt return for a touchdown by Turner-Zick, an eight yard TD run by #26, junior RB Ethan Ahrens and finishing the night was a six yard TD run by #27, junior RB Jacob Dudas.

This win follows a 35-10 victory over the Wausau West Warriors at Thom Field last week bringing the Panthers’ preseason record to 2-0.

The Panthers take the field again next Friday for their first conference game against the Fond Du Lac Cardinals at Fruth Field. SPASH lost to the Cardinals in a close 27-21 match up last season.

Kickoff is at 7:00 PM.