By Dwayne Corry
October 13, 2012
Wisconsin Rapids–As the 2012 WIAA football season winds down, the Rockets from Neenah had endured a tough season, coming into their game against Wisconsin Rapids without a win. Everyone had the Rockets pegged as going 0-8, except the Rockets.
“We were long over due. This was a long time coming,” said head coach Kert Dietrich.
From the very first play of the game, the Rockets seized momentum and never looked back. Neenah fire plug Nathan VanderMause scored on a 57 yard TD 12 seconds into the game.
“This feels really good. We worked very hard all year,” said VanderMuase.
Rapids fought back to tie it up. Wisconsin Rapids returned the kickoff 52 yards, and Ryan Duxbury powered it in from the one at 8:29 in the first to make the score 7-7.
The Rockets scored next on a nifty 23 yard TD pass from QB Jake Cort to CJ VanDyke to take a 14-7 halftime lead and never trailed
In the second half, Neenah quarterback Cort would muscle it from the one and push the Rocket lead to 20-7. Rob Schmidt would nail a 38 yard field goal attempt to stretch the Rocket lead to 23-7.
Rocket game MVP Vanderhouse ran for an 86 yard TD to extend the lead 30-7.
Rapids’ Steven Stevenoski found the end zone for Rapids to make it 30-13.
But that was all the scoring on this night.
“You play on Friday like you practice. Tony Biolo runs a great offense. We executed tonight. All 11 players on defense have to execute their assignments on every play… This starts the streak at one,” said Dietrich.
Red Raiders notes: The Red Raiders presented a 10,000.00 check to raise cancer awareness… Senior Joe Podawitz destroyed the Neenah offensive line on his first play of the game… Tyler Tesch blocked a an extra point attempt… Zach Bassuener made a diving interception early in the fourth… Teammates might call him the Lurch. But the play of the game was Hayden Biegel’s 27 yard catch between two defenders. Can you say Tight End? Gee I knew you could… Neenah fan S. King, a survivor, won the autographed football raffle and donated it right back to the Red Raiders.
