Rockets no match for Stratford in second-round playoff game

In recent seasons, WIAA playoff games between Spencer-Columbus and Stratford have been competitive affairs. That wasn’t the case in 2019.

Stratford dominated all facets of the contest this year and extended its streak of games without allowing a single point to 11 in a 51-0 romp over the Rockets on Nov. 1 in Stratford. The Tigers advance to a Division 5 Level 3 game at fellow unbeaten Northwestern on Nov. 8.

The Nov. 1 game was over early, as Stratford posted three first-period touchdowns to jump to a 23-0 lead. Teddy Redman had scoring runs of 45 yards and 58 yards in the game’s first six minutes, and Matt Handrick added a 22-yard touchdown to make it 23-0 game in less than nine minutes of play.

Max Schwabe tacked on a 1-yard run in the second quarter and Devin Dennee made it a 35-0 game at halftime on a 4-yard run.

Stratford amassed 447 yards of total offense and generated 13.4 yards per rushing attempt. The Tiger ground game piled up 362 yards on 27 attempts, with Redmond picking up 174 yards on only five attempts. Handrick had 65 yards on five carries.

The Tigers also passed nine times with six completions for 85 yards.

Spencer-Columbus could not crack a Tiger defense that has yet to surrender a point this season. The Rockets tried 25 running plays, and managed 60 yards. Quarterback Gage Stratman had 32 yards on four carries, while senior Austin Bacon was held to five yards on six carries and Hayden Bauman found only seven yards on seven attempts.

Stratman threw 16 times, with seven completions for 69 yards and two interceptions. Bacon and Bauman had three catches each. Brett Kasch had a 21-yard reception.

The Spencer-Columbus season ends with 6-5 overall mark, including a 20-12 Level 1 playoff win at Bloomer on Oct. 25.

CASEY KRAUTKRAMER/RECORD REVIEW PHOTO