By John Kemmeter

Senior wide receiver Carter Zblewski and the Division 5 top-ranked Amherst High School football team will look to clinch a share of the Conference Title when they play at Division 6 fourth-ranked Iola-Scandinavia Friday, Oct. 6.
(John Kemmeter photo)

The Stevens Point Area Senior High School (SPASH) football team (3-4, 2-4) will travel to take on Wisconsin Rapids (5-2, 4-2) for the Ol’ River Jug at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 6, while the rest of the area teams will face ranked opponents in the second-to-last week of the regular season.

Top-ranked Amherst (6-1, 5-0) hits the road to play at Division 6 fourth-ranked Iola-Scandinavia (6-1, 4-1) at 7 p.m. Friday, Almond-Bancroft (6-2, 3-1) hosts Division 7 seventh-ranked Pittsville (6-1, 3-1) at 7 p.m. Friday, Rosholt travels to Division 6 sixth-ranked Markesan (6-1, 5-0) at 7:30 p.m. Friday, and Pacelli (4-3, 2-3) plays at Division 5 seventh-ranked Bonduel (6-1, 4-1) at 7 p.m. Friday.

SPASH

In the 71st year of the rivalry, the Panthers will travel to play at Wisconsin Rapids Friday night, after Rapids got out to a 28-0 lead in the first half on then third-ranked SPASH in last year’s meeting, before the Panthers came back to tie it at 35-35 and eventually send their Homecoming Game into overtime, where Rapids pulled out a 41-35 upset win.

Rapids is led this season by senior running back Isaac Pelot (699 yards rushing and seven touchdowns on 97 carries), Honorable Mention All-State senior wide receiver Isaiah Westfall (20 catches for 317 yards and six touchdowns), junior running back Nash Coombs (259 yards rushing and three touchdowns on 14 carries, 13 catches for 180 yards and one touchdown) and senior quarterback Jacob Mancl (70-of-119 for 881 yards, with nine touchdowns and five interceptions).

Junior defensive end Jack Kelly (44) and the Stevens Point Area Senior High School (SPASH) defense will look to shut down the Wisconsin Rapids when they battle for the Ol’ River Jug in Wisconsin Rapids Friday, Oct. 6.
(John Kemmeter photo)

“They’re an outstanding football team, they’ve got some great talent and some great weapons on offense,” said SPASH football head coach Pete McAdams. “Pelot’s got good speed, but he’s a tough, hard-nosed runner more than anything.

“And with Westfall, I don’t know of a bigger receiving weapon in the conference, whether it’s the North, South or West,” he said. “He’s an awfully talented player with a lot of skills. The kid’s got phenomenal hands, he can jump out of a gymnasium, and he can run well, too.”

SPASH rolled to a 35-0 Homecoming win over D.C. Everest last week, while Rapids (4-2) won 48-36 over Wausau West (1-6, 1-6) and currently leads the Valley Football Association West Division over Marshfield (3-3), SPASH (2-4) and D.C. Everest (2-4) with two weeks to go in the regular season.

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