The #1(1A) Grundy Center football team scored early and often in the first half and won the turnover battle enroute to a 42-7 win over West Branch in a Class 1A second round matchup on Friday, as aired on 99 The Wave. The Spartans have now won 36 straight games.
Grundy Center sprinted out to a 21-0 first quarter lead behind two seven yard rushing touchdowns by quarterback Judd Jirovsky and a 12 yard receiving touchdown by Tiernan Vokes. In the second quarter, The Grundy Center defense locked down the Bears quarterback with three interceptions, as Ryker Thoren, Judd Jirovsky and Pete Lebo had one apiece. The Spartans cashed in two touchdowns on those takeaways with a third rushing touchdown of the half by Jirovsky and a second receiving touchdown by Vokes for a 35-0 halftime lead. The Spartans concluded their scoring following a Grant Newton interception with a 11 yard touchdown rush by Brody Zinkula midway through the third quarter to go up 42-0. The Bears scored their lone touchdown on a 70 yard pick six early in the fourth quarter. The Grundy Center defense shutdown the Bears offense, surrendering only 29 yards in the game with four interceptions.
Grundy Center Head Coach Travis Zajac on things to work on and applying successful defensive pressure against the Bears.
“It was a great performance, arguably our most complete game that we’ve played this season. Still without, I think all the efficiency that we’re looking for, especially on the offensive side of the ball, that’s some coaching points for us to talk about up this upcoming week,” says Zajac. “We felt like if we could make them one-dimensional and throw the ball, that would put us in a pretty good position. They chose to throw it a lot early in the game and it allowed our team’s pressure to get there. We were able to play zone coverage, only rush four and still get to the quarterback rather effectively. Really proud of our kids and our assistant coaches. We had a really good plan going into the game and the kids executed it rather flawlessly.”
Judd Jirovsky was 9-15 for 154 passing yards and five touchdowns (three rushing and two passing) and Tiernan Vokes had five receptions for 41 yards and two touchdowns. Vokes also led the defense with five tackles and two sacks.
Grundy Center (10-0) will host Sumner-Fredericksburg in the state quarterfinals on Friday night. Opening kick is 7:00 on 99 The Wave.
