By Jacob Mathias

The SPASH Panthers varsity football team nearly tripled the score of the Wausau West Warriors Friday night, winning 54-20.

SPASH entered the game following a narrow 17-14 loss to the Marshfield Tigers on Sept. 15. The Panthers record now stands at 2-4 and Friday’s win keeps them in the running for the playoffs although they have to win their final three games to qualify.

The Panthers’ offense and defense both added points to the scoreboard friday night with multiple interceptions run in for touchdowns. SPASH scored first and early with a 61-yard TD run by senior running back Colton Kizewski.

An interception by Panther senior defensive back Sam Simmons was returned nearly 70 yards for a TD bringing SPASH’s first quarter lead to 13-0.

Warrior running back Mitch Michalske then took a screen pass to the end zone for a score of 13-7. He soon scored again on a 5-yard run, pulling West ahead of the panthers 14-13.

Kizewski soon reversed the Panthers’ fortunes with three successive TDs before the first half ran out, leaving the score 34-14.

Panther senior defensive backs Lee Goman and Trent Hamerski would both snag an interception and run in a TD in the second half.

SPASH is set to take on the D.C. Everest Evergreens (2-3) on Goerke Field at 7 PM on Sept. 29.