Rocket boosters are engaged

CG-Belgium’s intensity ignites demolition of Mishicot in home opener

CEDAR GROVE-BELGIUM defenders Brett Fiend (on ground), Noah Sanfelippo and Garrett Dodson harassed Mishicot quarterback Nathan Driscoll all night long last Friday. Photos by Mitch Maersch
By 
MITCH MAERSCH
Ozaukee Press staff

The defense of Cedar Grove-Belgium High School’s football team had a down few days of practice last week.

It apparently decided to take it out on poor Mishicot on Friday.

The Rockets held the Indians to minus eight yards in the first half and didn’t allow a first down until the fourth quarter in a 41-0 destruction in their home-opening win.

“They hit hard, they’re physical. Coach Jason Klein (defensive coordinator) has them dialed up really well,” Rockets coach Dan Schreurs said.

Senior linebacker Ben Anzia led the Rockets with seven tackles. He would have made more, but the Indians kept going three-and-out.

“We were ready. There was a certain energy coming into the game we hadn’t seen yet this year,” Anzia said.

The Indians ended with 61 yards of offense, 39 of which came on a bomb in the fourth quarter, their only pass completion in six attempts.

They were held to 22 yards rushing.

“I think our defense comes out with a great attitude. Everyone was just doing their job,” senior defensive tackle Brett Feind said.

The Rockets’ offense was about as dominant, scoring quickly in building a 34-0 halftime lead.

Fullback Chris Jentges ran for two first-half touchdowns, and halfback Alex Acevedo and quarterback Michael Navis one each.

“It’s fun. I was really excited for this offense. You can’t key on a weapon,” Schreurs said.

It was Navis’ first start as quarterback at home.

“We just came out strong like normal, popped them in the mouth and kept pushing,” the junior said.

Navis only threw the ball twice and completed both passes.

The first came on fourth-and-5 when the game was tied.

Navis rolled to his left lofted a ball to Brad Katte, who made a beautiful, over-the-shoulder catch and took the ball to the 1-yard line.

“I saw the outside linebacker crashing in. It was a simple dump over the top,” Navis said.

Acevedo finished the drive for the game’s first score less than four minutes after it started.

Jentges followed with scoring runs of 27 and 34 yards. He finished the game with 103 yards on 10 carries.

“It was great, I’ve got to thank our lineman. They just executed, executed, executed,” Jentges said.

Schreurs said the guys up front, despite being outsized — including facing a 6-foot tall, 390-pounder — opened holes that even he could make his way through. Big East first team guard Feind was one of the leaders.

“I think we just came out with the inten sity that we needed. It’s cool blocking, they (ball carriers) just fly past you 10 yards, eight yards at a crack, and that’s what we want,” he said.

Navis showed off his speed with a 60-yard scoring scamper on a three-play drive in the second quarter.

The defense forced another three-and-out, and the Rockets took over on their own 36-yard line.

This time, they embarked on an 11-play drive that ended with Max Ford making a sliding catch in the end zone for an 11-yard touchdown. Acevedo ran for 26 yards on the drive, and Jentges for 20.

“It was just a blast going out there playing with the guys. We got a couple of good things going right away, and that set the tone for the rest of the game,” Acevedo said.

With a running clock and the bench in most of the second half, starters turned into cheerleaders. Sophomore running back Cayden Fisher racked up 68 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries.

The Indians crossed midfield for the first time in the fourth quarter on a 39-yard pass.

They reached the Rockets’ 20-yard line and threatened to blow the shutout, but Ford stepped in front of an Indian receiver and intercepted a pass at the 9-yard-line on fourth-and-8. The Rockets took a knee to end the game.

Trey Ebbers and Tyler Kowalkowski each had five tackles. Matthew Poull had four tackles and a fumble recovery, and Justin Rose had four tackles.

“It was a team effort on defense,” Schreurs said.

Continuing their tradition started two years ago, the Rockets prayed the Lord’s Prayer in a circle at midfield after the game. The Indians joined them.

The Rockets, 2-0, play at Big East Conference foe Manitowoc Lutheran (1-1) at 7 p.m. Friday.

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Ozaukee Press

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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