Panthers pound Cudahy

Kevin Brenner, shown here in the 21-14 win against Bradford last week, scored a touchdown on a blocked punt in the Panthers 64-7 win against visiting Cudahy (Earlene Frederick/The Report).
Kevin Brenner, shown here in the 21-14 win against Bradford last week, scored a touchdown on a blocked punt in the Panthers 64-7 win against visiting Cudahy (Earlene Frederick/The Report).

Team eclipses 60 points for first time in five years

By Jason Arndt
Staff Writer

Using the pass to set up the run game, the Panthers stuffed visiting Cudahy Friday, and eclipsed the 60-point mark for the first time in five years.

Wilmot Union High School, who defeated the Packers 41-13 on the road last year, produced 442 total offensive yards to come away with a 64-7 non conference victory.

The last time Wilmot compiled 60 points in a game was in 2011, when they defeated Elkhorn 60-6 on Sept. 9, and in the season opener, the Panthers won 62-20 against Burlington Catholic Central.

Cudahy coach Max Wasikowski commended the Panthers’ performance.

“Wilmot is obviously a good team, they returned a lot of guys from last year,” he stated. “We have to give them credit, they came to play, they just simply beat us.”

Cudahy, who received the opening kickoff, faced immediate pressure from the Panthers defense when they forced Packers’ quarterback Rusty Murphy to throw an interception to sophomore Kade Carlson.

Defensively, Wilmot held the visiting Packers to negative 13 yards on the ground.

Then, Wilmot junior A.J. Frisby swiftly went to a passing game, throwing a 39-yard strike to junior Hunter Valach to give the Panthers a 7-0 lead.

While Frisby completed four of seven passes for 131 yards, two were for touchdowns and the other two went at least 40 yards, a strategy the quarterback had in mind.

“We tried to beat them deep and it worked out for us,” said Frisby, noting the passing scheme has progressed since last year.

“Our passing game has improved tremendously this year.”

The goal entering the season was to diversify the offense, according to Wilmot coach Erick Kaiser.

“We wanted to make sure that we are a more versatile team this year and that is what it all boiled down to,” he said.

After Cudahy posted its lone touchdown on a blocked punt, the Panthers responded in the next possession, producing three quick plays.

Following a Frisby 50-yard pass to senior wide receiver David Faber, junior running back Zack Christopherson pushed the ball to the 1-yard, where Frisby snuck in a touchdown.

When Cudahy received a penalty for encroachment before the point after touchdown, moving the ball to the 1-yard line, Kaiser pulled kicker Jeff Shoopman in favor of a successful 2-point conversation run by Frisby.

In the second quarter, the Panthers poured on 36 points, giving Wilmot a 51-7 lead entering halftime.

Christopherson, who had two carries for 84 yards, opened the second frame with a 53-yard touchdown run before junior Robert Brent added a touchdown of his own, scampering in for a 24-yard score.

Brent was the Panthers leading rusher with 98 yards on four carries.

Wilmot added a touchdown on a blocked punt, recovered by sophomore Kevin Brenner in the end zone, and later forced the Packers into a safety when Christopherson tackled Matt Pradarelli.

Capping off the half was a Frisby 29-yard touchdown pass to Kade Carlson, followed by a Brent 14-yard run.

Wasikowski states the Panthers’ passing game caught his team by surprise.

“We expected them to run the ball a little bit more, but they opened the game early with the passing game,” Wasikowski stated. “We were expecting more stuff up inside.”

Ahead 51-7 entering the second half with a running clock, Kaiser replaced Frisby with sophomore Zach Lamberson, who scored on a 62-yard run to build the lead to 58-7.

Junior Jeremy Toro posted the Panthers last touchdown, running for 46-yards with under two minutes left of regulation.

The Panthers open Southern Lakes Conference play against visiting Waterford Sept. 2.

Waterford, who defeated Racine Case Friday, boasts a 2-0 record.


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