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Posted September 29, 2007
Assumption crushes Spencer/Columbus
By Jon France
For the Daily Tribune

Spencer/Marshfield Columbus running Trevor Gorman runs past an Assumption defender as Jacob Day, left, blocks during Friday's game in Wisconsin Rapids. Kathy Williams/For the Marshfield News-Herald

It's a good thing when the home team can give their fans something to cheer about.
It's great when it can be done on homecoming.

Assumption gave their faithful fans plenty to cheer about during a 40-6 Marawood Conference victory over Spencer/Marshfield Columbus Catholic on Friday night at South Wood County Field.

Giving a special effort was senior quarterback Ben Kinzel, who ran for a game-high 217 yards and three scores, and had an 89-yard interception return for a touchdown.

"It was nice to come out here and give our fans something to watch," Assumption tailback Alex Walczak said.

"The fact that it was homecoming was just an added bonus," Kinzel said. "All year its been all about getting to that 10th game. Our ultimate goal is to make it to the playoffs."

The Royals played the first quarter as if their playoff lives depended on it, scoring on their first three drives, with Shane Hickey running the first one in from four yards and Kinzel running in the next two from 55 yards and 14 yards.

"Ben's been running this wishbone for four years now," Royals coach Tom Reichenbacher said. "He has a very nice mesh with Alex and makes nice reads. He's been doing a nice job for us."

Spencer/Columbus was able to get its ground game going, however, as running back Trevor Gorman racked up 101 yards in the first half, including a 25-yard run at the end of the first quarter for a touchdown to make it 21-6.

"We're used to seeing him doubled a lot," Rockets coach Adam Yaeger said. "He has a lot of speed and cuts back very well, but he has to get better at running down hill. But he did a good job for us tonight."

That 101 yards would be the last of Spencer/Columbus' success on offense as Kinzel was able to diffuse the last of the Rockets' momentum with his long interception return. Gorman would finish the game with 117 yards.

Royals 40, Rockets 6
Spencer/Columbus 6 0 0 0 -- 6
Assumption 21 6 7 6 -- 40
A--Shane Hickey 4 run (Tyler Hafferman kick), 10:05.
A--Ben Kinzel 55 run (Hafferman kick), 7:59.
A--Kinzel 14 run (Hafferman kick), 2:19.
S--Trevor Gorman 25 run (Eric Phillips run failed)
A--Kinzel 89 INT return (Hafferman kick failed), 5:26.
A--Kinzel 5 run (Hafferman kick), 6:39.
A--Andy Joosten 25 INT return (Hafferman kick failed), 7:42.
S/C WRA
First downs 11 15
Total yards 279 427
Rushes-yards 36-199 43-366
Passing yards 80 61
Comp.-Att.-INT 5-11-2 3-5-0
Fumbles-lost 2-1 1-0
Individual leaders
Rushing - SC: Gorman 20-117. WRA: Kinzel 15-217
Receiving - SC: Reggie Olson 3-34. WRA: Jake O'Shasky 2-27.
Passing - SC: Brad Gropp 4-11-2-62. WRA: Kinzel 3-5-0-61.
Records: Assumption 4-2 overall (4-2 Marawood Conference); Spencer/Columbus 2-4 overall (2-4 Marawood Conference).