FOOTBALL

What We Learned: Spencer/Columbus Catholic, Amherst look to have reloaded again

Scott A. Williams
Stevens Point Journal

For most Division 5 high school football programs, losing a player who gained 1,870 yards and found the end zone a state-high 40 times would be mission impossible.

That was the task inherited by Spencer/Columbus Catholic coach Jason Gorst, who bid goodbye to powerhouse running back Hunter Luepke after last season.

That's a lot of production to replace. Apparently that won't be a problem.

If a season-opening 27-7 victory over traditionally strong Stratford is any indication, the Rockets will be just fine again this season.

Spencer/CC employed a running back-by-committee approach and it's hard to argue with the results.

Austin Bacon led the ground attack with 84 yards on nine carries and touchdown runs of 22 and 37 yards. Carson Hildebrandt added 60 yards on 14 attempts.

"I thought we were a lot less predictable this year," Bacon said. "I don't really think they were keying on anyone in particular."

Spencer/Columbus Catholic junior running back Austin Bacon finished with 84 yards on just nine carries with a pair of touchdown in the Rockets' 27-7 win over Stratford at Ted Fritsch Field on Friday night.

It doesn't hurt to be able to run behind a line that includes 6-foot-4, 310-pound Logan Zschernitz. The entire offensive front did a nice job of paving the way for all the running backs.

"Logan told me if we would go outside more, we would get it done," Bacon said. "I listened to him and we got it."

The Rockets also showed some promising signs of being one of the top defenses in the area. Spencer/CC limited the Tigers to 188 yards of total offense, including just 72 yards on the ground.

A pretty impressive showing considering the Tigers returned a number of key weapons in running back Kade Ehrike and receiver Vaughn Breit from a state quarterfinal team.

It's back to the drawing board for the Tigers, who opened their season on a sour note again. They are just 1-5 in their past six season openers.

Stratford can be encouraged by winning the second half 7-0.

"We had a great second half, but I'll take 100 percent responsibility. I didn't get my guys ready as a head coach," Stratford coach Jason Tubbs said. "The only responsibility is me. We have great kids."

Members of the Amherst football team celebrate a touchdown run by quarterback Lincoln Cullen during the third quarter of a win over Merrill on Friday.

Quarterback factory open for business

Chris Zblewski. Garrett Groshek. Brandon Piotrowski. Marcus Glodowski.

That is the talented collection of quarterbacks who have helped put Amherst on the state football map over the past half-dozen seasons.

Lincoln Cullen gave every indication he'll be the next breakout performer at the position for the Falcons based off his performance Friday night.

All Cullen did in his first varsity start was throw for 254 yards and a pair of touchdowns — in the first half — as the three-time defending Division 5 state champions opened with a 34-3 win over Division 3 program Merrill at Jays Stadium.

"There was a little nervousness there with the first varsity start, but after that first snap it all goes away and it's just the excitement from there," Cullen told USA TODAY NETWORK's Tim Johnson after the game.

"I made some good throws ... but also made some mistakes as well."

Cullen, who also rushed for a score, appears to have some pretty explosive weapons at his disposal in the passing game.

Cyle Zblewski turned a short pass over the middle into a 68-yard touchdown on the seventh play of the game.

A short time later, Cullen found Carmelo Aleman on a slant and the sophomore took it 74 yards to paydirt for another long scoring pass.

Piotrowski set the school record for passing yards in a season with 2,430 yards in 2016. Cullen is off to a great start in a possible bid to break that record.

"He is a pretty calm kid," Amherst coach Mark Lusic said of Cullen. "He is starting to understand what it takes and I think he grew up a little bit tonight. He put some balls right on the money tonight, there's no doubt."

Breakout performers

· Abbotsford sent an emphatic message with a 78-0 blowout win over Crandon to open the season.

Falcons senior running back Joe Aquilera did his part with 154 yards on the ground and three touchdowns. He needed just seven carries to inflict that damage.

· Defending Division 6 state runner-up Iola-Scandinavia quarterback Connor Kurki accounted for 170 yards on the ground and three scores as the Thunderbirds ground out a 32-0 win over Montello/Princeton/Green Lake.

· T-Birds senior running back Bryce Huettner, who ranked second in the state with 2.830 yards last season, chipped in with 114 yards and a pair of touchdowns.

· Greenwood got off to a thrilling start as quarterback Cooper Bredlau connected with Sully Whitford on a 40-yard scoring pass late in the fourth quarter to break a tie and knock off Owen-Withee 20-12.

· Sam Hardinger passed for 220 yards and three touchdowns and Pittsville nipped Auburndale 37-36 in double overtime. Chris Snook hauled in five passes for 112 yards and a TD for the Panthers.