This story is sponsored by Forward Bank
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
SPENCER – The Spencer/Columbus Catholic football team has become a fixture in the WIAA postseason during the past decade.
This season, the Rockets move into a new conference with a strong senior class.
Spencer/Columbus opens its season Friday, Sept. 25, at Nekoosa before its home opener Oct. 2 against Manawa and a big matchup with Stratford at Spencer High School on Oct. 9.
Head coach Jason Gorst said the team is focused on staying healthy to ensure it can play a full season.
“We are going above and beyond the WIAA protocols to do everything in our power to get on the game field,” Gorst said. “We have a terrific senior class that is very talented and committed. We are hoping to have a good experience for them.”
The Rockets finished 6-5 overall and 5-3 in the Cloverbelt Conference last season, qualifying for the playoffs for the eighth time in the past nine seasons. Their season ended with a 51-0 loss to Stratford in Level 2 of the Division 5 playoffs.
SC moves in to the Central Wisconsin Conference Large Division this year with a seven-game conference-only schedule that features an entire different group of opponents.
As always, the Rockets will look to dominate on the ground and will have leading rusher Eden Jacobson back after he ran for 1,072 yards and 15 touchdowns in 2019. He was a first-team all-Cloverbelt pick at defensive end last year.
Offensive lineman Austin Grubofski earned all-conference honors last year as well, and he returns to anchor the line for the Rockets.
Quarterback Gage Stratman will return for his second year under center after throwing for 509 yards and six scores in 2019.
Will Gorst, Max McGiveron, Dominic Post and Xane Adler will all see time running the ball as well for the Rockets.
“Our team goals this year are to stay healthy and get on the field as much as possible,” Coach Gorst said. “We feel we can be very competitive with the upper tier of the conference.”
SPENCER/COLUMBUS CATHOLIC FOOTBALL SCHEDULE
Fri., Sept. 25 at Nekoosa, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 2 MANAWA, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 9 STRATFORD, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 16 at Shiocton, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 23 WITTENBERG-BIRNAMWOOD, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 30 WEYAUWEGA-FREMONT, 7 p.m.
Fri., Nov. 6 at Amherst, 7 p.m.
Home games in CAPS, at Spencer High School