The #1 (1A) Grundy Center football team scored all five touchdowns in the first half and cruised to a 35-0 home win over Hudson Friday to complete an undefeated regular season. The Spartans (8-0, 5-0 1A-4) have completed their third straight undefeated regular season.
Brayden Davie housed the opening kickoff from 85 yards out for an immediate score, and the Spartans never looked back. Judd Jirovsky recorded a 96-yard pick six, and threw two touchdown passes to Tiernan Vokes and one to Jacob Hoy.
Head Coach Travis Zajac says the undefeated regular season is another remarkable accomplishment for the program.
“We’re 8-0, right now, there aren’t a lot of 1A teams that can say the same,” Zajac says. “Looking at all challenges, a lot of grit, a lot of determination. This group of kids has earned everything that’s come their way. So I couldn’t be prouder of our team, the ability to just respond. That was the case against Hudson and it has been for the duration of the season.”
Before the game, local EMT Rich Classen helped arrange a University of Iowa medical helicopter to deliver the game ball to midfield.
“One of our local EMTs who covers all of our games, he’s a Grundy Center graduate, Rich Classen, he set it up. It’s the University of Iowa Air Vac medical helicopter. They do this throughout the fall. They go to football games and deliver the game ball, and we got it set up at our place. They landed right on the 50-yard line at Spartan Stadium and gave the game ball to the seniors. It was really cool. A lot of cool memories, especially thinking about young kids that may have been at the game. It’s a big deal. It was a pretty special night.”
The Spartans will host Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont in the first round of the playoffs.
Travis Zajac interview: