Rush weathers storm, clinches playoff berth
Dan Barutha, Ironman Insider CorrespondentJuly 14, 2008
Wauwatosa, WI – Even with their starting quarterback out due to injury, the Roscoe Rush flexed their muscles Saturday night at Wisconsin Lutheran College as they defeated the Spring City Cyclones, 45-0 to clinch their third playoff birth in three years.
It only took until their second drive of the game for last season’s American Conference runners-up to find the end zone as backup QB Joe Cotton hit playmaker WR Justin Opengo for the 7 yard score. After a defensive stop, the Rush offense relied once again on the Cotton to Opengo connection for the 18 yard touchdown. After the first quarter, Roscoe led, 14-0.
In the second quarter, the Rush kept their foot on the pedal. After a defensive stand on 4th down, it only took one play for QB Joe Cotton to hook up with WR Ariel Haugabook for the 38 yard touchdown strike. Minutes later, an interception by CB Jesse McDuffa set up a K Julie Harshbarger 22 yard field goal. Before the half ended, Roscoe’s defense recovered a fumble, and that gave way to RB Deejay Spencer’s one yard touchdown plunge. At the break, the Rush led, 31-0.
Roscoe’s two second half touchdowns and very physical defense finished off the Cyclones for good.
The Rush improves to 5-2 on the season and remains in third place in the American Conference. Roscoe’s next game is on Saturday, August 2nd against the first place Burlington Blue Devils at Pecatonica High School. Kickoff is at 7pm. Spring City drops to 1-5 on the year, but still has an outside shot at making the playoffs. The Cyclones face the Milwaukee Venom next Saturday night at the Milwaukee County Sports Complex in a critical National Conference showdown. Start time is 7pm.