Cambridge romps to playoff win over Chase County

Steve Kodad/McCook Daily gazette Cambridge running back Seth Trosper (28) bulls into the end zone for a touchdown as he is hit by Chase County defenders Alex Strand (15, left) and Daniel Regier (88) late in the second half of the Trojans 44-8 win in the first round of the Class C-2 state playoffs Thursday at Cambridge. [Click to enlarge]

CAMBRIDGE -- Cambridge made amends for a perceived poor performance earlier in the season with Thursday's playoff win over Chase County.

The host Trojans employed a strong rushing attack to roll to a 44-8 win over the Longhorns in a first-round Class C-2 state high school football playoff contest.

Cambridge defeat Chase County, 20-7, in a regular-season game Sept. 18 at Imperial.

Steve Kodad/McCook Daily Gazette Chase County receiver Missoi Garcia (18) looks downfield on this pass reception with Cambridge defender Austin Rice (78) in pursuit. Garcia's long run set up the lone touchdown of the night for the Longhorns in a 44-8 loss to host Cambridge in the first round of the C-2 playoffs Thursday night. [Click to enlarge]

"We really felt poorly about the way we played," Cambridge head coach Josh Graves said, referring to the regular-season game. "I thought that was maybe one of our worst games of the year. We had a lot of penalties. So we were looking forward to playing them again. We knew we're a better football team that what we showed that first time."

The Trojans advanced in the playoffs behind a potent ground game. Cambridge rolled up 379 yards on the ground, as the Trojans weren't affected by the weather. A steady rain fell throughout the game Thursday night, and temperatures fell into the 30s.

"We were able to control the line of scrimmage and so that's pretty key," Coach Graves said. "I knew it would be in these field conditions. We talked about that before we came down here, that if you're going to win a football game with these field conditions and the weather the way it is, you're just going to have to control the line of scrimmage. Our offensive and defensive front lines did a nice job, so I was proud of their effort."

The Cambridge running attack was led by fullback Gus Petersen. The 6-2, 195-pound junior rushed for 195 yards on just 13 carries and scored four touchdowns.

Chase County managed 191 total yards, including 116 rushing and 75 through the air.

Cambridge led 26-0 at halftime.

Road game Wednesday

Cambridge takes a 6-3 record to the second round of the C-2 playoffs next Wednesday. The Trojans will face the North Platte St. Pat's-Perkins County winner. That game was postponed Thursday due to inclement weather and was rescheduled for Friday afternoon. Nasty weather in North Platte early Friday may force that game to be delayed again.

Chase County ends the season with a 6-3 record.

CAM -- Gus Petersen 48 run (run failed).

CAM -- Carson Farr 25 run (run failed).

CAM -- Petersen 39 run (pass failed).

CAM -- Seth Trosper 1 run (Petersen run).

CAM -- Peterson 41 run (pass failed).

CC -- Mike May 2 run (Missoi Garcia pass from Alex Strand).

CAM -- Petersen 6 run (run failed).

CAM -- Isaac Johnson 48 run (pass failed).

Chase County statistics leaders

Rushing -- Paul Gaschier 14-46, Mike May 14-29, Steven Fish 4-26, Missoi Garcia 5-20, Alex Strand 8-5.

Passing -- Alex Strand 6-13-0 75 yards.

Receiving -- Daniel Regier 2-28, Missoi Garcia 2-26, Jeremiah Lueth 2-21.

Cambridge statistics leaders

Rushing -- Gus Petersen 13-197, Carson Farr 10-67, Isaac Johnson 2-51, Ethan Long 4-36.

Passing -- Hayden Ekberg 0-0-0 0 yards.

Receiving -- none.