CG-Belgium rolls to second victory

The Cedar Grove-Belgium High School football team on paper dominated its second opponent of the season, but there’s more to the story of a 42-8 win at Howards Grove.

“We had a couple of fumbles that shouldn’t have happened and some penalties I’m not happy about,” coach Dan Schreurs said.

The Rockets built a 28-0 halftime lead using a plethora of weapons.

Cayden Fisher had two touchdown runs, quarterback Logan Arrowood hit Michael Navis with a bomb and Josh Nett intercepted a pass and returned it for a touchdown.

Fisher ended with 171 yards on 23 carries before tweaking his hip. Alex Acevedo then carried the load, with 85 yards on 18 runs.

The Rockets used the pass to open up the running game. Arrowood went 9-for-13 for 151 yards and two scores on the night.

“He definitely  didn’t look like a sophomore, especially for making his first start on the road,” Schreurs said.

Navis had seven catches for 122 yards at receiver and two scores, and ran for a 25-yard touchdown when playing quarterback, where he earned Big East Conference Offensive Player of the Year honors last season. The Rockets plan to employ a two-field general system.

“It was great to be able to slip him back there from time to time and mix things up,” Schreurs said.

The Rockets racked up 458 yards of offense.

On defense, the Rockets held the Tigers to less than 90 yards and stuffed one of the league’s top running backs in Kaeden Roethel, who had 1,540 yards rushing last season.

“The whole defense had another great night. They were swarming all over the place,” Schreurs said.

Nett stepped in front of a receiver, intercepted a pass and raced for a touchdown late in the first half.

“He knew it was coming,” Schreurs said of the pass.

Nett led the team with eight tackles, and linebacker Matt Poull had seven.

Linebacker Tyler Kowalkowski had six tackles, including three sacks.

Schreurs said the Rockets played a defense that allows Kowalkowsi to rush the passer.

“A lot of times he was hot on his heels,” he said.

But the Rockets fumbled five times, losing two, and had untimely penalties, drawing four flags for 45 yards.

“It was an uncharacteristic night for Rocket football,” Schreurs said.

The Rockets are juggling their offensive line due to injuries. They hope to get Zach Chaudier back in a couple of weeks after an MCL tear in the first week of the season and Caleb Ledbetter was taken out due to a hip injury.

The Rockets (2-0) return home this week to face Big East foe Reedsville (1-1) after students return to school.

Schreurs said practices are at the same time before and during the school year to help teens maintain a schedule.

“We always welcome it a lot,” he said of school starting. “They kind of get more into a set regimen. We’re in better communications with teachers and know what’s going on with the kids during the days.”