This story is sponsored by: Stephanie Spaeth, REALTOR/Owner, NextHome Hub City
By Paul Lecker
MarshfieldAreaSports.com
SPENCER – A new group of ballcarriers will run behind an experienced offensive line as the Spencer/Columbus football team will look to compete for another playoff berth in a loaded Central Wisconsin Conference Large Division.
The Rockets are coming off their eighth-straight WIAA postseason appearance, which ended with a Level 1 loss to St. Croix Falls, and a 6-5 overall record (which included one forfeit). Spencer/Columbus will play at St. Croix Central to open its season on Friday.
Isaac Mauritz will take over at quarterback, with Sully Melander, Landon Behselich, Carter Luepke and Kyle Nieman working at running back to take over for the tandem of Brock Bennington and Will Gorst, who graduated.
“Isaac Mauritz looking really good at quarterback, both throwing and running the ball,” Spencer/Columbus coach Jason Gorst said. “We moved Sully Melander (a second-team all-Central Wisconsin Conference Large Division selection at guard and defensive line) from guard to tailback and he’s adjusting very well to that. Landon Behselich, Carter Luepke and Kyle Nieman rounds out the backfield and gives us a variety of weapons.”
The Rockets’ line is experienced, with three-year starter Cole Hanson, two-year starter Carson Kilty, and fellow senior Nate Rucker moving from tight end to guard.
“We’re progressing well, day in and day out,” Gorst said. “We still have a way to go when you look at the scope of the season and where we want to go, but we’ve been pleased with the work ethic and focus of the guys.
“I think overall we have team speed and a good motor. The things that we need to continue to work on are being sound in our assignments. When all 11 guys are sound in their assignments, we can be pretty decent.”
After the opener, Spencer/Columbus will host defending Division 6 state champion Colby on Aug. 26, before starting CWC Large action with home games against Wittenberg-Birnamwood on Sept. 2 and Weyauwega-Fremont on Sept. 9. The Rockets’ first conference road game will be at powerhouse Amherst on Sept. 16.
“I think Amherst and Stratford are going to be really good again,” Gorst said. “Wittenberg-Birnamwood lost a very good senior class, but they’re coming off of a fantastic year and I would anticipate they have a lot of experience and good things are brewing there. Shiocton could be a team, a non-playoff team from last year, that could be a surprising team with some potential.
“I think we have to go one week at a time. We can use these nonconference games, against St. Croix Central and Colby, which will be very, very good, and then we open up with Wittenberg-Birnamwood (on Sept. 2) which will tell us where we are in the pecking order really early.”
Spencer/Columbus Football Schedule
Fri., Aug. 19 at St. Croix Central, 7 p.m.
Fri., Aug. 26 COLBY, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 2 WITTENBERG-BIRNAMWOOD, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 9 WEYAUWEGA-FREMONT, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 16 at Amherst, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 23 at Nekoosa, 7 p.m.
Fri., Sept. 30 MANAWA, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 7 STRATFORD, 7 p.m.
Fri., Oct. 14 at Shiocton, 7 p.m.
Home games in CAPS, at Spencer High School