This story is sponsored by: Valley Communities Credit Union
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
MARSHFIELD – Stevens Point Area Senior High has won four of the last five Wisconsin Valley Conference football championships and for Marshfield to achieve its ultimate goal of dethroning the Panthers, it likely has to beat them.
The Tigers get their chance Friday when they take on Stevens Point at Goerke Field on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point in the Wisconsin Valley opener for both teams. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
Following an opening week home loss to Menomonie, Marshfield responded with a 28-18 win at Antigo last Friday, gaining a little momentum and confidence in the process.
However, the Tigers turned the ball over four times (two fumbles, two interceptions) a week after committing five turnovers against Menomonie.
“That was huge for us,” Marshfield coach Denny Goettl said of the Tigers grabbing their first win of the year. “We still look at the mistakes. We can’t turn the ball over four or five times in a game. Ball security is what we’ve been working on this week – making good decisions.”
The Tigers found their running game, piling up 204 yards on 37 carries. T.J. Vantassel led the way with 167 yards on 26 attempts, and fullback Brad Dolezal added 36 yards and three touchdown runs.
Goettl said ball control is a key for Marshfield as it tries to keep an explosive SPASH offense off the field.
The Panthers are led by running back Tanner Kolbeck, who had 118 yards on just 17 carries in last week’s 48-17 loss to No. 1-ranked Kenosha Bradford. SPASH rushed for 210 yards overall, even though they were forced to throw the ball a lot after falling behind early.
“We are still trying to find out ‘Magic 5’ up front (on offense),” Goettl said. “We have to find a way to keep our defense off the field as much as possible.”
Defensively, it’s going to have to be a team effort, Goettl said.
“Up front we have to get a rush on the quarterback and get our keys,” he said. “They have talent and it’s going to be an 11-on-11 game. All of our guys have to be ready to make plays. The defensive line has to hold their own and keep (SPASH’s offensive line) off our linebackers.”