Westby looking to overcome size difference to advance to state semifinals for first time since 1996

Westby High School’s football team hasn’t been in the state semifinals since 1996.

A win tonight would put the No. 2-seeded Norsemen (10-1) there but they’ll have to take down top-seeded Spencer/Marshfield Columbus (10-1) on the road tonight.

“I think they’re probably going to underestimate us, for sure,” Westby coach Andy Hulst said. “We’re probably the underdog and I get that, I’m selling that but we’re not scared. We’re excited to go up there and play.”

Not just the underdog, according to Hulst. Westby, also undersized when matched up against Spencer, which was just out of the Top 10 in the final AP rankings for the Medium Division.

“They’re huge,” Hulst said. “I mean, they have a lineman that’s about 6-4, 300 pounds. They have a couple other guys around 250.”

Last week, Westby beat third-seeded Elk Mound 35-6, while Spencer won 37-18 against No. 4 Bloomer.

The winner faces Kewaunee or Stratford — both finished just out of the Top 10 rankings in the final poll, as well — for a trip to Camp Randall.