Five things we learned in Week 1 of prep football

Another exciting high school football season kicked off this week, one sure to be filled with surprises, and a handful of teams already made early statements.

While some teams got started with traditional season openers, several others opted to put their players to stiff tests during nonconference matchups in Week 1.

Those area teams fortunate enough to get their seasons off on a winning note received a huge shot of confidence. Those ending up on the wrong side of the score can gain solace in realizing there is plenty of time left in the season to get on a roll.

NOWHERE BUT UP

Stratford and Merrill entered the season with high expectations, but ran into formidable nonconference foes and took it on the chin. The Bluejays suffered a 38-14 loss at the hands of a perennially tough Division 1 program in Superior, while Division 5 powerhouse Stanley-Boyd dealt the Tigers a stinging 35-7 setback.

NOT A ONE-YEAR WONDER

Spencer/Columbus Catholic reached the Division 5 state championship game for the first time in school history last November. The Rockets wasted no time proving last year was no fluke with a 51-20 drubbing of Osseo-Fairchild behind four touchdowns from Noah Zastrow. Hunter Luepke added three scores as the duo each surpassed 100 yards on the ground.

MAKING CLOVERWOOD NOISE

Talk about getting off to encouraging starts. Abbotsford, Athens, Assumption and Loyal all posted lopsided wins. Perhaps the most impressive of all was the Greyhounds easily handling Owen-Withee 41-12 on the road. Abby and Athens combined to surrender just six points and cruised to wins over Greenwood and Newman Catholic, respectively, and the Royals belted Thorp 41-0.

MARAWOOD EYE-OPENERS

A pair of Marawood Conference contenders made emphatic Week 1 statements. Defending champion Marathon crushed Phillips 64-0, while Alec Hafferman accounted for all five touchdowns in Edgar’s 35-0 blanking of Auburndale. With those types of results in their openers, the rest of the conference can’t help but take notice of the Wildcats and Raiders.

INJURED RESERVE LIST

Injuries are a part of the game, but several area teams were hit hard in the opener. Key players who were banged up and left games early included Wausau West quarterback Chandler Fochs (leg). His status remains uncertain moving forward. SPASH lost reigning VFA-South Division Lineman of the Year Jacob Erdman (leg) and quarterback Beau Rosenthal (elbow). Panthers coach Pete McAdams reported neither injury looks serious, although Rosenthal and Erdman could miss “a little while.”

Scott A. Williams can be reached at 715-345-2282, orby email at ssswilliam@stevenspoint.gannett.com. Find him on Twitter as @SPJScottWill