Rockets’ running game helps register a win

A three-headed running attack and team defense gave the Cedar Grove-Belgium High School football team it’s first victory of the season last Friday.

The Rockets beat defending Division 7 champ Kenosha St. Joseph, 21-6, at home.

Griffin Knight ran five times for 61 yards and a touchdown, quarterback Evan Halleman ran 12 times for 64 yards and a touchdown and Alex Geib ran 14 times for 63 yards. Austin Knapp ran eight times for 37 yards.

“Griff had nice key runs and the first touchdown, 47 yards on an inside trap. Everyone was focused on Knapp coming around the edge,” coach Dan Schreurs said.

The Rockets led, 7-6, at halftime. Nolan Anzia blocked the Lancers’ extra point attempt.

Halleman went 2-for-4 passing for 16 yards and a touchdown. Adair Herrera caught a six-yard score.

Anzia and his cousin, Josh, each made nine tackles to lead the team. R.J. Griffin had seven and Noah Teunissen had six.

“R.J., Noah and Knapp were coming off the edge to pressure the quarterback. Josh and Nolan controlled middle and let him come back to them,” Schreurs said.

Griffin blocked a punt that Knapp recovered on the 10-yard line, setting up the Rockets’ third-quarter touchdown.

Late in the game, the Rockets scored on a six-minute drive. They took three plays to score from the 5-yard line.

“I praised guys at the end, that’s what we need to have all the time, chunk off first downs,” Schreurs said.

Lancers’ quarterback Christophe Kenesie went 10-for-23 passing for 151 yards and a score. He ran 15 times for 68 yards.

“St. Joe’s was big but they were young. They graduated a ton off of their state title team,” Schreurs said.

The Rockets, 1-1, play at Manitowoc Lutheran on Thusday, Sept. 3, in a game that could go a long way in determining the Big East Conference champ. The Lancers beat the Rockets twice last season, 47-14 and 55-14. It’s a game the Rockets had circled on their calendar since the schedules were released.

“We need to right the ship from last year,” Schreurs said.

The Lancers are 2-0 after beating Brillion, 21-7, and Roncalli, 36-0.