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 was a difference-maker for them, and Superior was just really physical, too.” Wausau West scored on the ensuing possession to go up 21-7, but the Spartans responded. Midway through the second quarter, Superior assembled a 65-yard drive that culminated in Taynum Clark’s 6-yard rushing touchdown to make it a 21-14 game.
Throughout that possession, Superior executed its new offense to perfection. Leno hit multiple quick swing passes, he moved the chains with his legs when necessary and Clark broke a pair of big runs while making Wausau West defenders miss in open space. ADVERTISEMENT Although Wausau West ultimately pulled away in the second half to hand Superior a loss in the season-opener, Scott said there were a lot of positives offensively to take away from Friday night.
“There are an awful lot of good things from tonight,” Scott said. “There are a lot of bright spots, we just need to put it all together.” Superior’s 14 points against Wausau West in the season opener were the most points the Spartans have scored since week 7 of the 2022 campaign.
Scott said although the game got away from his Spartans, the offense, at times, looked beautiful. Leno finished with 134 passing yards, 50 rushing yards and one rushing score while Clark amassed 50 yards and a touchdown on 12 carries. “When we executed tonight, it’s beautiful,” Scott said.
“We’d also like to have a lot back from tonight, but you have to give credit to West, too. They put pressure on us, and we didn’t respond at times.” Superior didn’t have any major problems moving the ball against Wausau West, the problem was turnovers.
The Warriors blocked two Spartan punts — one for a touchdown — and Leno threw three interceptions, two of which were tipped, in the loss. Several of the turnovers came at critical moments in the second half, and three of the turnovers resulted in Wausau West points. ADVERTISEMENT “We can’t get punts blocked, turn it over and not take the ball away,” Scott said.
“That’s 21 points that we have complete control over.” Despite the loss, Superior (0-1) is confident that both the offense and the program are moving in the right direction. With more practice in the new system and constant repetitions, they believe the future is bright for the Spartans, who are at Stevens Point Area on Thursday, Aug.
29. “It’s easier said than done to put it all together,” Scott said. “But we’re going to fight and keep working on it.
It’s all going to come together.”.
