The Oconto Falls High School football team faced an uphill battle against Bay Conference co-leader Menasha on Friday.
The loss of senior halfback Jacob Yatso due to injury made the challenge even more difficult.
The result was another loss, 49-6, for the 0-4 Panthers and another win for 4-0 Menasha, which sits atop the Bay alongside West De Pere.
Yatso’s injury “was just another opportunity to get other guys reps,” Oconto Falls coach Jeff Trochil said.
Junior fullback Austin Kowalczyk seized the opportunity, rushing for 74 yards on eight carries, including a 66-yard run early in the second half that set up the Panthers’ only score—a 7-yard touchdown run by Mac Winkler.
Winkler, who had 21 yards on five carries, credited the offensive line and Kowalczyk for paving the way to the end zone.
“The blocking up front was just outstanding in the second half; the first half was not quite how we wanted it,” Winkler said. “(Kowalczyk) might not have the speed, but he certainly has the power to get through the seams.”
Oconto Falls (0-4, 0-3 Bay Conference) entered halftime down 42-0, after being outscored 28-0 in the first quarter, but played much better in the second half.
“That second half they came out and put one on us,” Menasha coach Jeramie Korth said.
Senior quarterback Tyler Johnson threw four touchdowns on five completions and passed for 78 yards for Menasha (4-0, 4-0 Bay). Johnson’s main target was senior wide receiver Emanuel Jenkins, who caught three of the four touchdowns. Jenkins had 34 yards receiving.
Korth said the Panthers have a promising future, with 28 freshman on the varsity.
“Seems like they got some things going on around here to turn things around,” Korth said.
Trochil said his team will continue to move forward, with a game Friday at Shawano (2-2, 1-2 Bay) the next test.
“We are going to go very hard,” he said.
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