Rockets run into tough passing attack

The Spencer-Columbus football team did not know it at the time, but its 30-29 upset win over highly-ranked Amherst on Nov. 6 would prove to be its season highlight. Its first playoff game was one to forget.

The Rockets were beaten 42-8 on Nov. 13 by an undefeated Cumberland team that was deserving of its top rank in the 4-man playoff pool to which Spencer-Columbus was assigned. The Beavers lurched out to a 22-0 lead after one quarter and never allowed the Rockets back into the game.

Cumberland quarterback Maddux Allen was deadly for the Spencer-Columbus defense, as he completed 12 of 16 passes for 289 yards and five touchdowns. The Beavers added 116 rushing yards on 19 attempts to top 400 yards of offense for the game.

In the first quarter alone, Allen connected on touchdown passes of 65 yards to Travis Runberg, 37 yards to Jack Martens and 28 yards to DeShaun Ames. In the second period, he hit Ames for a 13-yard score and Martens for another 27-yarder as the Beavers coasted to a 34-0 lead at halftime.

Spencer-Columbus finally got on the scoreboard on a 12-yard Eden Jacobson run with 2:33 left in the game.

The Cumberland defense held the Rockets to 121 yards of total offense, including only 97 yards on 35 rushes. Jacobson was held in check, with 24 yards on 15 carries. Dominic Post led the Rockets with 55 yards on 11 carries.

Gage Stratman went to the air eight times with four completions -- all to Jacobson -- for 24 yards.

Spencer-Columbus ended its season with a 5-3 overall mark in its first year in the Central Wisconsin-Large Conference.

Spencer-Columbus head coach Jason Gorst said his team lost to a quality opponent in its final start of the shortened season.

“Hats off to Cumberland. They are a very good team,” Gorst said. “Proud of our guys this year. We are very fortunate to have had the opportunity to play. “