By Robert Whitmire

SPASH football kicked off its 2016 campaign with a 31-13 win over Valley Football Association North Division opponent Wausau West Thursday night at Goerke Field.

The Rosenthal-Kizewski connection took charge of the game right from the start putting the Panthers on the board early in the first quarter with a 6-yard Kizewski run to the endzone.

West bounced back with 2:26 remaining in the quarter to knot the score at 7-7. Warrior Justin Rager hauled in a 32 yard strike from Chandler Fochs for the score.

SPASH put seven more on the board in the second quarter with a Rosenthal to Jack Helfand pass and went to the halftime break with a 14-7 lead.

The Panthers were on the board first in the second half when Joey Dorgan split the uprights with a 22 yard field goal at the 6:56 mark of the third quarter. West wasn’t finished yet and took the kick down the field scoring on a 42 yard Mitch Michalski run. The Point after attempt was blocked and SPASH led 17-13.

Senior Quarterback Beau Rosenthal scored the final two touchdowns for the Panthers to put the game away with a 3-yard run near the end of the third quarter and a 58 yard scamper at 11:01 in the fourth.

The Warriors attempts to shut down the Panther ground game were futile as Quarterback Beau Rosenthal and Running Back Colton Kizewski ran up, down, and all-around the field the entire game.

Rosenthal finished the evening with166 yards on 13 carries and was 10-18 through the air for 126 yards. Colton Kizewski shredded the Warrior defense rolling up 157 yards on 22 carries.

SPASH finished the game with 333 rushing yards on 43 carries and 118 passing yards hitting 12 of 21 through the air with one interception.

The Panther defense held West to 226 total yards – 98 on the ground and 128 passing.

There were a total of 151 yards in penalties between the two teams including 11 flags and 97 yards for SPASH and 7 penalties against West for 54 yards. SPASH controlled the ball for 28:18 and West for 19:52.

The Panthers return to action on Thursday, August 25 traveling to Thom Field to take on the Wausau East Lumberjacks. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 pm.