The #1 (1A) Grundy Center football team set the tone with a 27 point first half on their way to a 35-6 win over Sumner-Fredericksburg in Class 1A quarterfinal, to earn their sixth consecutive UNI-Dome berth, as aired on 99 The Wave on Friday.
Explosive plays in long down and distance spots got the Spartans offense rolling early, including a 55 yard touchdown reception by Tiernan Vokes on a 3rd and 12, and a 75 yard reception by Vokes on a 3rd and 11 that led to a two yard touchdown run by Judd Jirovsky put the Spartans ahead 14-0 in the first quarter. The Spartans returned to the endzone twice in the second quarter on a 50 yard sprint to the house by Jirovsky and a eight yard touchdown carry by Brody Zinkula for a 27-0 halftime lead. The Spartans got on the board one more time in the third quarter on a 36 yard touchdown reception by Braeden Davie on a 4th and 7 and a two point conversion by Pete Lebo, to go up 35-0. The Cougars ended the shutout with a touchdown rush that made 35-6 with 4:37 to go in the game.
Grundy Center Head Coach Travis Zajac on a great start in win and the time commitment of the Spartans in playoff run.
“We wanted to send a message. We’re a handful offensively to defend, we can do a lot of different things. To get a score on them right away, I think it was third down, third long play, we were able to score long touchdown pass. That puts a lot of pressure on the opponent because of the way we play defense. Then another score, another score and before you know it we’re up 27 to nothing, we’re rolling. That’s kind of been our M.O. the last several seasons, we jump out fast and put a lot of pressure on the opponent,” says Zajac. “You get to a pretty reflective state this time of year. Everyone’s really tired. There’s been a lot of mental and emotional energy put into this thing. The amount of sacrifices that people put in, my family, the kids and their families, the assistant coaches and their families. Special place, a special school, special kids. We can’t wait to be together for at least another week.”
Judd Jirovsky was 9-13 for 196 passing yards, 61 rushing yards and four touchdowns (two passing and two rushing), Tiernan Vokes had three receptions for 139 yards and a touchdown, and Brody Zinkula had 13 carries for 95 yards and a touchdown to lead the Spartans. Ryker Thoren had 13 tackles to lead the Grundy Center defense.
Grundy Center at 11-0 will face #6(1A) Wilton in a semifinal on Friday on 99 The Wave.
Grundy Center Head Coach Travis Zajac:
