Spring Lake Park’s football team was 0-2 six weeks ago. To the Panthers, it might as well be six years.

A 29-0 shutout of Cooper in Tuesday’s Class 5A, Section 4 quarterfinal at Spring Lake Park was the No. 4 seed Panthers’ sixth victory in their past seven games.

They advance to play at No. 1 seed Mahtomedi (6-2) at 1 p.m. Saturday. Spring Lake Park opened the season with a 22-15 loss to the Zephyrs. That game, too, is ancient history, senior Grant Walter said.

“We’re a brand-new football team,” Walter said. “We had a lot of new guys starting those first two games, and they are in the swing of things now.”

Proving Walter correct early, the Panthers overpowered North Suburban Conference rival Cooper. They used all running plays on their first two touchdowns drives, covering 70 and 81 yards, and led 15-0 after the first quarter. 

Walter and Ejodamen Ejiya each capped scoring drives with 2-yard touchdown runs.

Walter, the team’s leading rusher, qualified for the Class 2A state track and field meet in the 100-meter dash. Ejiya was a first-team Star Tribune All-Metro selection at running back last fall.

Additional power came from Austin Swenson and Richie Toweh, who raced around the edges, moved the pile and the chains.

“That’s our offense — just run it down their throat,” Walter said. “Huge credit to the offensive line.”

The Panthers’ first pass of the game was a 16-yard touchdown from Derek Salwei to Aaron Murphy that built a 22-0 lead. The play gave Spring Lake Park three consecutive touchdown drives to start the game.

Then the special teams joined the party as Walter blocked a Cooper punt and returned the ball 10 yards for a score. The play made it 29-0 and gave Spring Lake Park an emotional edge. 

The Panthers led Cooper 35-0 into the third quarter in their first meeting of the season and Walter’s play ensured his team kept the momentum in the rematch.

“I just came off the edge running hard,” Walter said. “They send me every time and I finally got one. It feels great.”

The No. 5 seed Hawks (5-4), coached by former Vikings defensive lineman Willie Howard, were twice turned over on downs near the end zone. 

A potential touchdown catch just before halftime was ruled out of bounds.And the Panthers used a goal-line stand to turn Cooper over on downs at the 1-yard line in the third quarter.

Finishing strong, Walter said, will be paramount Saturday at Mahtomedi.

“We lost in the fourth quarter the first time but we’ve been focusing on finishing, and we’ll be bringing it,” he said.

Key of the game: Grant Walter’s blocked punt and 10-yard touchdown return put the Panthers ahead to stay in the second quarter. The play made it 29-0 and gave Spring Lake Park an emotional edge. The Panthers walloped Cooper 41-20 in their first meeting of the season and Walter’s play ensured his team kept the momentum in the rematch.

Quote: “I just came off the edge running hard. They send me every time and I finally got one. It feels great.” — Spring Lake Park senior Grant Walter on his blocked punt and touchdown return.

One thing to know: Spring Lake Park advances to play at No. 1 seed Mahtomedi (6-2) at 1 p.m. Saturday. The Panthers opened the season with a 22-15 loss to the Zephyrs as part of an 0-2 start.

DAVID LA VAQUE