The #1 (1A) Grundy Center football team overcame some precarious situations in the first half, and surged to a 48-6 home win over Columbus Catholic Friday, as aired on 99 The Wave.
The Spartans (5-0, 2-0 1A-4) scored on two of their first three snaps of the game, on a 55-yard run by Brody Zinkula and 47-yard pass from Judd Jirovsky to Tiernan Vokes. But the Sailors dominated the time of possession with long drives, and cut the deficit to 13-6 with a second quarter score, immediately after a Spartan interception was waived off due to a penalty. Zinkula and Jirovsky had rushing touchdowns in the second quarter, and each had pick-sixes late in the quarter to give the Spartans a 41-6 halftime lead.
With the running clock rule in effect, Zinkula added another rushing touchdown in the third quarter to help seal the win.
“Winning is not an easy thing, and to get kids to respond every week and play well enough to be in a position to win football games is no easy feat,” Head Coach Travis Zajac says. “And our kids did everything that was asked of them and then some last night. It wasn’t pretty at times, things that we have to clean up, but all the folks inside the team, players, assistant coaches, myself, are really really proud of the effort and we’re definitely going to take the win. It was a good night for us at Spartan Stadium.”
Zinkula had 13 carries for 151 yards, Jirovsky was 9/19 for 132 yards, and Vokes had six catches for 92 yards. Jacob Hoy and Ryder Slifer each had four tackles to lead defensively.
The win sets up a showdown at #6 (1A) South Hardin next week, with both teams entering undefeated. The kickoff will be at 7:00 p.m. in Eldora.
Travis Zajac interview:
