Cusick Panthers race past ACH

CUSICK - Coach Brandon Walsh said it was going to be the Warriors toughest game to date, and he was spot on with his assessment as the Panthers ran roughshod over Almira/Coulee-Hartline (ACH), 70-6, in a battle for the top seed heading into postseason play Friday.

"We weren't expecting such a lopsided game," he said. "But Cusick is a good team with three excellent players who we had trouble containing."

The Panthers jumped out to 20-point lead at the end of the first quarter and never looked back. Cusick added 28 points in the second quarter, 16 in the third and six in the fourth to run away with the game.

The Warriors only score of the contest came in the second quarter of play on a 35-yard pass from Drew Isaak to Mitchell Hunt (run failed).

"Cusick was quicker than we were defensive wise," Walsh said. "We thought we could run the ball up the middle and had some success, but found ourselves in a lot of third and long situations we couldn't convert. When we fell behind, we had to abandon our game plan and throw the ball and they knew that and didn't allow us to do so."

Despite the lopsided loss, ACH is still in the playoff race as the Warriors will host a game against La-Crosse-Washtuckna. The date has yet to be confirmed, but Walsh expects it to be played Friday.

"It was a lousy was to lose a game," he said. "But I told the kids we have to put this behind us and get ready to play La-Crosse-Washtuckna. It's easier to forget a game like this as opposed to a one-point loss. This is the last home game for our 10 seniors and we're playing in front of our home crowd so I expect our guys to come out and play well."