The undefeated Manitowoc Lutheran Lancer football team continues its push towards Barry Alvarez Field at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison tonight as they play host to Big East Conference foe Cedar Grove-Belgium tonight in a WIAA Division Six quarterfinal playoff game at Coach Heiderich Field.
The Lancers survived four turnovers and several penalties to hold off Weyauwega-Fremont 35-22 last Friday night, while the Rockets soared by the Ledgers of St. Mary’s Springs 40-7.
Cedar Grove-Belgium has a talented group of athletes that can attack defenses in multiple ways.
Junior running back Ira Hilbelink has run for nearly 800 yards this season, including 117 yards and two touchdowns against The Lancers back on September 12th.
Senior quarterback Carter Schmitz has a bevy of wide receivers to throw to, led by junior Griffin Knight’s 40 catches for better than 600 yards and 10 touchdowns.
The Rockets have been stern defensively, with Knight recording seven of their nine interceptions.
Meanwhile, Manitowoc Lutheran features a balanced offense, led by senior quarterback Jaymen Ott, whose quarterback rating has been among the highest in the state regardless of division, while the defense has been stingy, pitching three shutouts.
The Lancers, until last week, have taken care of the ball and not beaten themselves with penalties.
They survived last week, but Head Coach Ryan Hulse knows that they won’t get away with that this week against a Rockets team that’s looking for revenge after falling to the Lancers 47-4 in week four at Cedar Grove-Belgium.
The winner heads to the Division Six state semifinals next Friday night. Coverage begins at 6:45 p.m. on 980 WCUB and at CubRadio.com.
Other games of local and area interest include Plymouth travelling to Grafton to battle the Tigers in Division Three.
Hilbert travels to Oshkosh to battle Lourdes Academy in Division Seven. Four FRCC teams remain alive in the tournament.
In Division One, De Pere travels to Waunakee, and Bay Port heads to Franklin.
Division Two matchups include Notre Dame hosting Rice Lake; West De Pere is home for Union Grove, and Oshkosh North travels to River Falls.
In Division Four, Freedom is at Winneconne, and Little Chute travels to Racine St. Catherine’s.
