The #2 (1A) Grundy Center football team will host #8 (1A) Beckman Catholic for a 1A quarterfinal Friday, which’ll air on 99 The Wave. A win would advance the Spartans to a seventh straight UNI-Dome appearance, and would extend the program’s win streak to 50.
The Spartans (10-0) are coming off dominant playoff wins over Eddyville-Blakesburg-Fremont and Clarion-Goldfield-Dows in the first two rounds. With Friday’s game, it’ll mark the 15th consecutive playoff game aside from those inside the UNI-Dome that the team will have hosted at Spartan Stadium.
“We are so blessed,” Head Coach Travis Zajac says. “We are so privileged to do what we do and how we do it. And it’s just focusing on the day-to-day work that it takes to be good. Us coaches have a tendency to fall into like the old school cliches and it’s like, there’s not a lot of secrets to it. If you’re willing to do the processes we have set out for you, if you follow our game plan, our roadmap, you have a chance to be pretty darn good. And our kids, by and large, year after year have bought into that. The young ones that are along for a postseason run learn along the way what it takes. They see the sacrifices the older guys have to make. So when it’s their turn, they’re ready to step up and do that. And that’s what you’re seeing now with this group of seniors that were freshmen in 2022 when we finally broke through and were able to win that first title since I’ve been here. They learn the amount of effort it takes emotionally, physically, mentally to get it done.”
The Trailblazers (9-1) had no problems in defeating Jesup and Sigourney Keota in the first two rounds. With a run-heavy system, multiple backs have contributed to 226 rushing yards per game. Quarterback Brady Gogel has been efficient with seven touchdown passes and no interceptions.
“They’re impressive. They’ve got a lot of really talented athletes, they’ve got some pretty good size along the line of scrimmage. They’ve got some unique schemes on offense and defense that obviously have our attention. They’re quarterfinalist, and there’s not a single kid that’s gonna get on a bus and come from Dyersville and be intimidated coming in here to play. They’re playing with a lot of confidence. There’s a lot of swagger when you watch as I’m watching the film and watching the games. And I’m also kind of paying attention to their sideline. There’s a lot of energy there. I know that community is super excited about what they have going on, and we can’t wait to host them. We’re excited to see where we match up with them physically. I think it’s gonna be a highly contested quarterfinal matchup, which is what you want.”
Pregame coverage will start at 5:30 p.m. with player interviews, followed by the kickoff at 7:00.
Travis Zajac interview:
