CG-Belgium football rolls over rival Oostburg

Gabe Egan returned to running back and Sam Peiffer once again took the field for the Cedar Grove-Belgium High School football team as the Rockets took the rivalry game at home over Oostburg on Friday, 35-13.

Egan filled in at wide receiver last week for Peiffer, who was suspended after a targeting call the week before. This week, both dominated their positions.

Egan racked up 182 yards and a score on 11 carries — averaging 16.5 yards per run.

“Lots of them were just simple blasts. He would get through the hole and break outside,” Cedar Grove-Belgium coach Dan Schreurs said. “He’s just a darn good athlete. He can catch; he can run; he can play defense.”

Peiffer, who was put in motion to elude double teams, caught 13 balls for 183 yards and two touchdowns.

“I haven’t seen him play that hard in a long time. He was breaking tackles after the catch. Twice there were three guys hanging on him and he was still fighting to move down the field,” Schreurs said.

The Flying Dutchmen, on the other hand, found themselves missing two players in the first half. Quarterback Donavan DePagter left with a leg injury after being tackled from behind on a bootleg, and their starting running back was pulled due to an injury.

But Oostburg wasn’t going to go away, not in this heated rivalry that has lasted decades.

“It’s Cedar Grove and Oostburg so they’re always going to bring their A game,” Schreurs said.

The Rockets built a 28-0 lead before Oostburg scored in the third quarter.

Egan ran for a 49-yard touchdown in the first quarter. Peiffer caught a 40-yard score and Colten Sellin ran it in from five yards out in the second quarter. It was 21-0 at halftime.

Peiffer ran for a 15-yard score in the third quarter before the Flying Dutchmen got on the board. Joey Bruggink scored on a 60-yard run.

The Rockets’ offensive line, wide receivers and tight ends all excelled in the run-blocking scheme, Schreurs said.

“They’re building great walls for running backs to run behind. Even the wide receivers are getting into it,” he said. “Gabe was probably four or five yards across the line of scrimmage before he was touched or had to make a move.”

Quarterback Logan Arrowood went 15-for-23 for 214 yards with two touchdowns and an interception.

On defense, inside linebacker Justin Anzia led the Rockets with 10 tackles and Billy Navis had nine with a sack. Caleb Ledbeter had seven tackles and Deven Soerens had six. Ethan Aponte picked off a pass.

Schreurs also commended his coaches — Jason Klein, Josh Reyenders, Andy Van Ess, Kyle Voskuil, Mike Hilbelink, Brent Brochtrup, Ben Lukens, Derek Sellin and Matt Arentson.

“We had a great week of practice. Additions to the coaching staff are starting to come together,” Schreurs said.

For Oostburg, now 1-3, Bruggink had six carries for 67 yards and a score, and Kevin VanStelle had five runs for 59 yards. DePagter went 5-for-10 passing for 51 yards with an interception.

The Rockets, 4-0 overall and 2-0 in the Big East Conference, play at Howards Grove (2-0 Big East, 3-1 overall) on Friday. The Tigers beat Oostburg, 39-16, two weeks ago, forcing six turnovers.

“They’re a decent football team. They spread the field out and want to throw the ball, but they can run with it too,” Schreurs said.