The #2 (1A) Grundy Center football team was crisp in all phases of the game in a 43-7 win at Aplington-Parkersburg Friday, as aired on 99 The Wave.
Spartan junior quarterback Judd Jirovsky put together a sizzling performance with a perfect 18/18 night of passing for 282 yards and three touchdowns. He added another two touchdowns on the ground to account for five of the team’s six scores. Head Coach Travis Zajac.
“Coach Josh Rekers pointed out that last week against Dike-New Hartford, Judd had started the game, I think he was 0-3 and then had 10 straight completions to finish the game,” Zajac says. “So he was 10-13 last week and now 18-18 this week. So he’s had 28 straight completions. It’s pretty crazy. I don’t know, I don’t quite have words. I don’t think I’ve ever seen that before. I’ve never coached a kid that’s done that before. I kind of knew he was going to be really good. I think we all did. And now he’s got the opportunity, the ball is in his hands every play. His abilities take over, he’s really smart, cares about his teammates, was voted as a captain by his teammates. He’s been phenomenal.”
Jirovsky found Devin Hinders twice and Brayden Davie once for touchdown passes in the first half, and rushed for scores in the second and third quarters. Brody Zinkula had 15 carries for 79 yards and a score. Ryker Thoren led defensively with five tackles and a sack.
Aplington-Parkersburg coach Aaron Thomas says Grundy Center’s athleticism and physicality was tough to account for.
“They made plays, I thought we were in pretty good position,” Thomas says. “A couple times we had them and made the initial contact, but either didn’t get them tackled or our coverage. And credit to Judd Jirovsky’s, he’s a heck of a quarterback. And he threw it right on the money. We might have been one step behind on a couple of those first touchdowns. We were close, but you got to be able to cover them. And they got good speed and they got good skill kids. And I was proud of our kids. The second half, I think most of them came out and they kept battling.”
Creyton Eberhart led offensively with 11 carries for 28 yards and a touchdown.
The Falcons (0-2) will finish their non-district schedule next week at South Hardin on 99 The Wave.
Grundy Center (2-0) will conclude non-district play next week at Pella Christian.
Travis Zajac interview:
Aaron Thomas interview:
