Austin Sikorski had an opening half for the ages during a WIAA Division 1 Level 1 football game on Tuesday.

Whether the standout Stevens Point Area Senior High senior running back has a chance to build on that postseason performance, however, is in jeopardy.

Sikorski was on crutches with a foot injury after the game, leaving a dark cloud hanging over an otherwise impressive performance by SPASH in a 52-27 blowout win over Oshkosh West at Community Stadium at Goerke Park.

SPASH will host Hudson, a 21-6 winner over Wisconsin Rapids, in a Level 2 matchup on Saturday.

"After he returned the kickoff (in the second half), he told me his foot was really hurting him," Panthers coach Pete McAdams said. "We'll find out a little more tomorrow (Wednesday), but it doesn't look really good."

That was about the only bad news SPASH had to endure against the Wildcats -- even though it was more than enough.

With his line creating huge holes, and Sikorski breaking arm tackles like wishbones on a Thanksgiving turkey, the Panthers scored on five of their six possessions in the first half.

Much of the damage was inflicted by Sikorski, who finished with 177 yards rushing and four touchdowns as SPASH held a 35-20 lead at the break.

"Our offensive line prides itself on seeing the running backs have big gains," McAdams said. "They don't get a whole lot of credit, but obviously when that is happening they're doing some great things up front."

Sikorski, who had touchdown runs of 4, 9, 9, and 20 yards made what turned out to be his final run on the opening kickoff of the second half.

Benefiting from a huge seam in the middle of the field, Sikorski raced 90 yards to the end zone to put the Panthers in control at 42-20.

In case the Wildcats weren't believers, SPASH's O-line continued brutalizing the guys in front of them, helping Joey Mathe gain 76 yards on 13 carries, with a 15-yard TD.

The Panthers finished with 363 yards rushing on 45 carries, an amazing 8.1-yard per carry average.

"Seeing Austin and those guys running so hard really motivates us to work hard and make their job as easy as possible," said senior guard Eric Martin. "Time of possession was key for us. We really stressed that."t's a good thing SPASH held onto the ball with time-consuming drives because the Wildcats were dangerous.

Demler connected with Dillon Sennott on an 80-yard scoring strike to tie the game at 7-7, and then found Carson Hielsberg for a 6-yard touchdown to end the first half.

SPASH managed to slow him a little in the second half as Demler finished with 312 yards passing.

"John Haka, our defensive coordinator, and the whole defensive staff did an outstanding job at the half putting their minds together," said McAdams.