This story is sponsored by: Wisconsin Homes of Marshfield
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
SPENCER – The Spencer/Columbus Catholic football team comes into the 2024 season with a young group, but some experience at key spots as the Rockets look to continue an upswing for the program.
After a 1-8 season in 2022, the Rockets started 0-6 last year before winning two games in a row on their way to a 2-7 mark.
Veteran head coach Jason Gorst said he likes how the team and program are coming together.
“I think we’re going in the right direction and taking strides forward,” Gorst said. “We have a very tough conference so what that looks like at the end of the day with wins and losses, that will be determined on Friday nights, but I do think we are taking steps forward as a program.”
A strong offseason of work and a solid start to preseason practice has Gorst optimistic heading into Friday’s opener at home against Auburndale.
“I’m happy with the offseason in a lot of ways,” Gorst said. “I thought the guys worked hard in the weight room, put in a lot of time either with their other sports or getting ready in the weight room through the winter, spring and summer. We had a solid first week of practice. We’re still pretty young as a football team, but overall, I liked the way they’ve practice with the effort and focus.”
Junior Devlin Timmler returns at quarterback after throwing for 583 yards and four touchdowns last season.
Jack Hoeper, a sophomore, is battling for the starting tailback spot with senior Mason Wolf, and Carter Luepke is returning at fullback.
With a strong receiving group, Gorst said he is looking to open things up on the offensive end as well.
“(Devlin’s) doing a real nice job, has a great command of the offense,” Gorst said. “We’ve added some things in the passing game with Devlin’s experience at QB, and have a nice receiving corps with Mac Konieczny, Teddy Meyer, Kaleb Hilgemann and Drew Lang. We’re looking to get the ball out more in space than we have in the past.”
Defensively, Gorst said the team is concentrating on shutting down the run.
“Hopefully we play with a little bit more of edge,” Gorst said. “We will have a number of sophomores on the field, especially on the defensive side of the ball, and they seem pretty physical and like contact. We’re looking to play a little more downhill and a little more solid in the box against the run.”
The Rockets will play in a revamped Central Wisconsin Conference Large Division. Nekoosa, Shiocton and Manawa have been replaced by Colby, Loyal/Greenwood and Marathon, making arguably the best small division conference in the state that much better. Wittenberg-Birnamwood, Weyauwega-Fremont, Amherst and two-time defending Division 6 state champion Stratford remain in the conference.
“It’s important for us to not get caught up in looking at that and just try to go week-by-week the best we can, focus on the opponent at hand,” Gorst said. “I do think we can go out and compete with a wide number of teams, we just have to try to get one win at a time.”
Following their opener Friday, Spencer/Columbus plays at Pittsville on Aug. 30 before opening CWC Large play at home against Stratford.
Spencer/Columbus Catholic Football Schedule
Fri., Aug. 23 AUBURNDALE, 7 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 30 at Pittsville, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 6 STRATFORD, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 13 at Weyauwega-Fremont, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 20 at Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 27 AMHERST, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 4 LOYAL/GREENWOOD, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 11 at Colby, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 18 MARATHON, 7 p.m.
(Home games in CAPS, at Spencer High School)