This story is sponsored by Forward Bank
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
SPENCER – The Spencer/Columbus football team had its string of eight-straight WIAA postseason berths come to an end last season.
Looking to change their fortunes in 2023 and beyond, the Rockets are turning to a youth movement.
While there will be more than 10 seniors on the squad, the Rockets will be turning to a large group of sophomores and juniors to fill in the holes as they hope to build on a 2022 campaign that resulted in a 1-8 record, with that only official victory coming from a forfeit win over Amherst as it had to forfeit a number of games for a using an ineligible player.
“I think everybody has a pretty positive attitude, they’re working hard, had a great offseason in the weight room and their other sports,” Spencer/Columbus coach Jason Gorst said. “I have a pretty good feel overall. We are young, so there have been mistakes, but we feel like they are continuing to learn as we go on.
“We definitely needed to have a bit of a reset, but I’ve been very impressed with the way they’ve carried themselves so far.”
Sophomore Devlin Timmler will take over at quarterback for the Rockets, who Gorst said are revamping their offense. Landon Behselich and Mason Wolf will be among the running back corps, while Cal Birkhauser and Teddy Meyer will play multiple positions on offense.
“Landon Behselich is going to be a tough receiver/running back,” Gorst said. “We’re pretty excited about our sophomore guards with Sam Helgestad and Mason Dieringer, those guys are really flying around and making plays. Devlin Timmler’s looked pretty good at quarterback, and Mason Wolf is looking pretty good at running back as well.
“We are changing up our offense quite a bit. We’ll probably be throwing the ball a bit more and running some different types of plays than we’ve run in the past. I think they are grasping it, slowly but surely.”
A few players have also stood out on the defensive side for Gorst.
“Defensively, the defensive line is what stands out to me in the early days of practice,” Gorst said. “I think Jude Becerra, Gage Young and Matt Latham all look very athletic upfront and have been getting off the ball really well.”
Spencer/Columbus opens its 2023 season at home against St. Croix Central on Friday at 7 p.m.
Spencer/Columbus Catholic Football Schedule
Fri., Aug. 18 ST. CROIX CENTRAL, 7 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 25 at Colby, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 1 SHIOCTON, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 8 at Wittenberg-Birnamwood, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 15 at Weyauwega-Fremont, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 22 AMHERST, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 29 NEKOOSA, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 6 at Manawa, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 13 STRATFORD, 7 p.m.
Home games in CAPS, at Spencer High School