After a slow start, the fifth-ranked Stevens Point Area
Senior High School (SPASH) football team pulled away in the second half to beat
Green Bay Preble in a WIAA Division 1 Level 1 Playoff Game at Community Stadium
at Goerke Field Friday, Oct. 21.

The second-seeded Panthers (9-1, 7-1) used a 23-yard
touchdown pass with three seconds left in the second quarter to take a 10-7
lead into halftime, and outscored seventh-seeded Preble (5-5) 24-7 in the second half to move
on with a 31-14 victory.

With the win, SPASH will be back at home to take on
third-seeded Hudson (8-2, 5-2) in a Level 2 Playoff Game at Community Stadium
at Goerke Field at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 28.

“It’s huge,” said senior running back Gus Turner-Zick.
“Winning this game gives us another home game coming up, and there’s nothing
like playing behind this home crowd.”

“We come out every day in practice, and we work hard, we all
love each other, so it’s just a great feeling when you can win the first
playoff game and get to Round 2 as a team,” said senior wide receiver Jack
Helfand after the game. “And we’re just getting ready for next week, starting
tomorrow.”

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