Blasting off:

Cedar Grove-Belgium Rockets take advantage of overmatched Big East Conference opponent in season-opening blowout

JUNIOR RUNNING BACK Cayden Fisher didn’t let a large defender impede his progress toward the end zone on the first of two touchdown runs for Cedar Grove-Belgium in a 56-6 destruction of Kohler/Sheboygan Christian/Lutheran last Friday in Cedar Grove. Photo by Mitch Maersch
By 
MITCH MAERSCH
Ozaukee Press staff

Some of the names have changed but the results stayed about the same for Cedar Grove-Belgium High School’s football team in last Friday night’s opener.

A new quarterback, sophomore Logan Arrowood, took the helm and made it look easy with a dominating offensive line, running game, receiving corps and defense in a 56-6 home rout of Big East

Conference opponent Kohler/Sheboygan Lutheran/Christian.

On the first play from scrimmage, Arrowood hit last year’s Big East Conference Offensive Player of the Year Michael Navis with a 50-yard bomb, which set the tone for the entire night. Four plays later,

Cayden Fisher scored the first of two touchdowns on a nine-yard run.

Zach Chaudier forced a fumble on the ensuing kickoff and Jonah Morales recovered it for the Rockets.

Five plays and 37 yards later, Fisher scored again, this time from 15 yards out.

KLC had trouble with shotgun snaps all night and went three and out on their first possession. After a punt, Arrowood hit Sam Peiffer streaking past a defender down the right sideline for a 49-yard score.

KLC drove to the Rockets’ 34-yard line before turning the ball over on downs. Arrowood capped a four-play drive with an 11-yard pass to Navis, who made a cut and entered the end zone untouched.

It was 28-0 with 69 seconds left to play in the first quarter and the game was already over.

“It was amazing. It was a little shocking at first but I overcame it and we just did what we had to do,” Arrowood said about his first start.

Once he hit Navis with the bomb on the first play, “I was like, I got this,” he said.

Arrowood went 4-for-5 for 168 yards and three scores in barely a half of football.

Coach Dan Screurs said he texted Arrowood Friday morning and asked how he felt. His quarterback replied he was anxious but not nervous.

“He did exactly what we were supposed to do. For the most part, I was pretty happy with what he turned out,” Schreurs said.

Acevedo ended with nine carries for 71 yards and a score. Fisher ran eight times for 61 yards and two touchdowns.

“I owe it all to the line. They executed, and those traps opened up super wide. They just make it so easy,” Acevedo said.

Offensive lineman Ben Radant said they just kept plugging away.

“Me and my linemen and my backers just kept pushing and kept scoring touchdowns. It’s really nice to see big plays blow up,” he said.

Peiffer had two catches for 102 yards and two scores. Navis had two grabs for 66 yards and a touchdown.

“It felt great. Receiver is my more natural position,” Navis said.

At defensive back, Navis made a leaping interception on a jump ball that teammate Drew Emperley nearly came down with.

“That’s what I’ve been wanting to work on, going to the ball rather than letting it come to me,” Navis said.

Emperley said he likes his team’s new defense. He covers the flat and gets to hit more.

“The new defense brought a little different energy. It was exciting,” he said.

Outside linebacker Tyler Kowalkowski, a Big East second team selection last season, led the Rockets with seven tackles. Josh Nett had five. Jordan Sells and Matthew Poull each had four.

Schreurs was pleased with his defense.

“They were swarming, very quick to the football, very aggressive, and I think that’s another statement of this class and this team. It’s going to be that style. I don’t want to call it chaos, but they’re going to be fun to watch,” he said.

The Rockets outgained KLC, 437 yards to 103. Schreurs pulled his starters after a 49-0 first half. KLC finally scored late in the fourth quarter.

It wasn’t the best measuring stick for the two-time defending champs who haven’t lost a Big East game since 2016. KLC has one senior and one junior, and both are linemen.

The Rockets travel to Howards Grove on Friday. The Tigers lost, 45-0, at Oostburg last Friday.

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Wisconsin’s largest paid circulation community weekly newspaper. Serving Port Washington, Saukville, Grafton, Fredonia, Belgium, as well as Ozaukee County government. Locally owned and printed in Port Washington, Wisconsin.

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