SUPERIOR – Fireworks are not just for the fourth of July.

Producing big play after big play on offense and busting chops on defense all game long, the Superior Bobcats went off spectacularly time after time, just like fireworks on the fourth, in running past Arlee 82-18 in Superior Friday.

Now 1-0 in Western Conference play, the Bobcats host Charlo for a rare Thursday night game this week. A shortage of referees this season has forced the rescheduling of some games, Superior coach Jeff Schultz said.

Returning All-State senior Gannon Quinlan got the Bobcats off to the hot start against Arlee by taking the game’s opening kickoff and streaking 75 yards for a touchdown.

With fellow All-State performer Turner Milender’s two-point run tacked on, the Bobcats led 8-0 only 11 seconds into the game.

A few minutes later, Milender took an inside handoff and ran untouched through the Arlee defense for another TD from 53 yards out and the rout was on.

Gannon scored three more touchdowns, one on a 16-yard run and the other two on 10 and one-yard passes from All-State quarterback Landon Richards in the first quarter.

Milender ended up with 124 yards and two touchdowns rushing, Richards completed six of six passes for 98 yards and four TDs and ran the ball seven times for 75 yards, and Quinlan finished the game with five touchdowns, three on pass catches and one each on a run and a kickoff return.

As prolific as the Superior skill players were, Schultz thought the game was really won in the trenches. “The key is we were locked in, everyone was doing their jobs,” he said. “Our guys up front took care of business, were big keys to how the game went.

The talented Kade DuPuis-Pablo scored all three of Arlee’s touchdowns, two on exciting kickoff returns and the other on a long pass play.

The two kickoff returns allowed for touchdowns were about the only phase of the game the Bobcats appear to need work on, and Schultz said he is already planning on how to address that issue.

“Our kickoff coverage was little shaky at times,” he said. "That will be something we are working on in practice.”

And judging by the Arlee game, the high-scoring Bobcats very well could be kicking off a lot this season.

This week’s opponents, the Charlo Vikings lost 62-0 to Darby in their season opener.

    SIGNALLING IN THE PLAY, the Superior coaching staff communicates with the Bobcat offensive unit during Superior’s 82-18 win over Arlee Friday in Superior. (John Hamilton/vp-mi)
  

    TWO-LEG TAKEDOWN – Superior senior Turner Milender demonstrates effective tackling technique during the Bobcats’ game with Arlee in Superior Friday. (John Hamilton/vp-mi)