By Jacob Mathias

In a mistake ridden game, the Stevens Point Area Senior High School Panther football team took a 31-28 loss to the Oshkosh North Spartans bringing both teams to a season record to 2-2.

The game remained close most of the evening but a successful field goal attempt by senior Spartan kicker Sam Herkert with two seconds left in the game brought Oshkosh out of the 28-28 tie for a last second win.

The Spartans came out running, earning the first two touchdowns of the game.  A 10 yard run at 2:52 in the first quarter and 22 yard run at 8:39 in the second quarter, both by senior running back Eliot Dittmer brought the Spartans to a 14-0 lead. Panther senior wide receiver Victor Kizewski earned two TDs before the first half let out, tying up the the game 14-14 at halftime.

In the second half, Spartan senior quarterback Tyler Kujawa completed a pass with junior wide receiver Cameron Sorenson for a 42 yard TD bringing the score to 21-14. Kizewski tied the game again with a 20 yard touchdown at 9:44 in the fourth quarter. Dittmer ran for another 23 yard TD bringing the score to 28-21.

Kizewski had the final TD of the night, tying the game 28-28 before that last second FG that took the Spartans ahead for the win.

The Panthers rushed for a net 292 yards over the Spartans’ 206. Kizewski lead the Panthers with 243 yards and Dittmer led the Spartans with 181. Multiple delay of game penalties and missed snaps made it difficult for the Panthers to capitalize on their rushing advantages.

This is the second loss in a row for the Panthers who come off a 25-29 loss to the Fond Du Lac Cardinals on September 4.

The Panthers take on the 2-2 Neenah High School Rockets at Goerke Park on September 18. Kickoff is at 8:00 PM.