CWS Sports Desk
October 26, 2012
Appleton– The SPASH Panthers came into their Level 2 playoff game against Appleton North with a vengeance, scoring 14 points in the first quarter. However, the Lightning responded, taking the lead in the third quarter, then held on for a 17-14 win.
SPASH was without the services of quarterback Eric Zelhofer, who broke his hand last week. Mitch Mallek was pressed into service under center for SPASH and, given the circumstances, played extremely well.
SPASH struck first with a touchdown pass from Mallek to Nick Strigel with 6:58 in the first quarter. SPASH added a touchdown in the first half on a Mallek 67 yard run at the end of the first quarter and took a 14-7 lead into halftime.
North fought back in the second half. They kicked a field goal with 6:52 in the third quarter to pull within 14-10. On the next SPASH offensive play, North got an interception by Nate Gajewski, but SPASH’s defense held and North was unable to capitalize.
However, the Lightning was able to move the ball on their next offensive series, powered by the running of Sawyer Shultz and some pinpoint passing by Tanner Shuh, who passed for 167 yards in the game. Shuh connected with Dan Rothbauer for a touchdown with 40 seconds left in the third quarter to give Appleton North a 17-14 lead.
North did not look back.
In what would turn out to be a series of field position chess moves by both coaches, with about ten minutes in the final quarter, North drove to SPASH’s 35 yard line and, facing a fourth and five, elected to punt and pin the Panthers deep in their own territory. SPASH’s offense responded by driving into North territory, led by crafty running by Mallek and Pozorski. Playing the field position game, SPASH opted to punt inside of North’s 40 yard line to pin the Lightning at the 14 yard line with about four minutes left to play.
Shultz took over for the Lightning, gaining some tough yards to earn first downs for his team and keep the clock running.
With under two minutes left to play, SPASH was unable to jar the ball loose from the Lightning running backs and Appleton North ran the clock out to end the game.
Official Stats
SPASH Football at Appleton North – Oct. 26, 2012
SPASH App North
First Downs 8 16
Rushing 33-161 38-103
Passing 7-13-2 13-24-1
Passing Yards 78 189
Total Yards 239 292
Fumbles-Lost 0-0 3-1
Penalties-Yards 9-85 3-25
Punts-Avg. 6-31.0 2-39.5
Score by Quarters
1 2 3 4 Final
SPASH 14 0 0 0 – 14
Appleton North 7 0 10 0 – 17
Scoring Summary
SP – Nick Strigel 5 pass from Mitch Mallek (Tyler Kraeger kick)
AN – Cole Salm 27 interception return (Trent Bielke kick)
SP – Mallek 64 run (Kraeger kick)
AN – FG Bielke 32
AN – Dan Rothbauer 27 pass from Tanner Schuh (Bielke kick)
Individual Statistics
Rushing
SPASH – Zach Pozorski 19-56, Joey Flowerette 3-5, Mitch Mallek 11-100.
Appleton North – Sawyer Schultz 27-97, Connor Rolain 1-0, Tanner Schuh 3-4, Dan Rothbauer 3-16, Team 4-(-14).
Passing
SPASH – Mitch Mallek 7-13-2-78.
Appleton North – Tanner Schuh 12-23-1-189, Team 0-1-0-0.
Receiving
SPASH – Scott Walder 2-40, Nick Strigel 2-7, Joey Flowerette 2-23, Zach Pozorski 1-8.
Appleton North – Frank Van Handel 3-62, Troy Van De Voort 5-34, Dan Rothbauer 3-92, Sawyer Schultz 1-1.
Recoveries
SPASH – Jon Barnes (interception).
Appleton North – Evan Polce (interception), Cole Salm (interception).
