SUPERIOR — Change is not always easy. When Superior walked off the field late in the evening on Friday, Aug. 23, players and coaches alike glanced at a scoreboard that showed a 41-14 Wausau West victory.
It was the second consecutive season in which Wausau West traveled to Superior and bested the Spartans on their home turf, joining a 24-3 dismantling in the season-opener last year — but that’s where the similarities end. ADVERTISEMENT “I don’t think the scoreboard comes close to indicating what kind of a battle that was,” Wausau West head coach Matt Johnson said. “Superior was incredibly improved and we caught a couple of breaks that made the score look different, but that was a battle.
” Friday night not only marked the first game of Rob Scott’s tenure as head coach of the Spartans, but was also the unveiling of his new up-tempo offensive scheme designed to create constant chaos among opposing defenses. At times, Superior’s new scheme showed flashes of high-octane excellence. Trailing 14-0 late in the first quarter, Superior put together an 80-yard scoring drive that spanned fewer than two minutes.
Senior quarterback Tanner Leno brilliantly moved the Spartans up the field, connecting with receiver after receiver, before capping the drive off with an 8-yard touchdown run to make it a 14-7 contest. “(Leno) is a fantastic football player,” Johnson said. “When they have him out there, I think they’re in the game on any given night.
I thought he really.