Round 2 has same result for CG-Belgium at Manty Luth.

The Cedar Grove-Belgium High School football team wanted this rematch. The Rockets knew they were a different team than the one that lost, 47-14, at home to Big East Conference foe Manitowoc Lutheran on Sept. 12.

It turns out the Lancers improved, too, and last Friday’s score was even worse, 55-14.

That ended the Rockets’ season in level 3 of the Division 6 playoffs for the second straight year.

It’s always a heartbreaker when the season ends, but coach Dan Schreurs said he could tell it was the Lancers’ night. They ripped off a long run that reached the Rockets’ 5-yard line to start the game.

“They’re a good football team. They came out and they stuck it to us right away in the first quarter,” Schreurs said.

The Rockets practiced on grass all week, but it didn’t seem to help. Rain earlier in the day caused their players to slip and slide, while the Lancers moved just fine, Schreurs said.

When the score reached 21-0 in the second quarter, Schreurs talked with quarterback Carter Schmitz. The plan was to score, take the second-half kickoff and score again.

The Rockets dropped two balls in the end zone. The Lancers ended up scoring again to take a 28-0 halftime lead.

The Rockets drove down the field to start the third quarter but got stopped on fourth and short. The Lancers came back and scored and earned a running clock, being up 35-0.

During one play, Noah Lukens had a ball slip through his hands, then through a defender’s hands. It bounced off a Lancer’s helmet and the defender trailing Lukens ended up making an interception.

“Yeah, it’s not our night,” Schreurs thought.

Schreurs praised Ira Hilbelink for running hard and for linebacker Josh Anzia playing well in the middle.

 The Rockets qualified for the playoffs for the 23rd straight season and finished 7-5. All five teams they lost to are still alive, Schreurs said.

“In the back of our mind we know we’re a good football team,” he said.

“Our bar is set pretty high. Back-to-back level 3s is a pretty big accomplishment. It’s hard to fathom we lost five games this year but most teams would kill to be in level 3.”

The undefeated Lancers, he said, are in good shape. The Rockets have lost to the eventual state champions multiple occasions in recent years — last year to Lomira and in the past Amherst, St. Mary’s Springs and Racine St. Catherine’s.

“Things are looking really good for you,” Schreurs told Manitowoc Lutheran coach Ryan Hulse.

“It’s your year. It doesn’t matter who you’re going to play. Everything is going your way. You’re making big plays when you have to. The ball is bouncing your way.”

The Lancers play Darlington on Friday, Nov. 14, for a spot in the state title game.