The loss of a power packed senior class from the 2011 season has had little impact on the Cubans of 2012. A 55-28 blowout in the non-conference win over Viroqua Friday night allowed spectators a small slice of what the season has in store.
Cuba City managed 35 points in the first quarter alone with scores from Preston Droessler on a 15-yard pass from Kyle Frederick followed by a 52-yard touchdown by Brandon Slaats and a Frederick 16-yard touchdown to put the Cubans up 21-0 before Viroqua's first score.
Frederick then scored his second touchdown on a 61-yard run followed by a Slaats 33-yard pass from Frederick to close out the first quarter at 35-6 Cuba City. All the extra points for the Cubans in the first quarter were good by senior kicker, Greg "golden-toe" Ganter.
In the second quarter, the Cubans had two more scores, one from Frederick on a five-yard run and another from Jeff Meckstroth on a five-yard pass from Frederick to extend their lead to 48-6 at the half.
The Cubans final score came in the third quarter when Meckstroth scored on a 12-yard pass from Frederick.
Cuba City head coach Guy Kopp said this was a great way to start off the season. "Kyle Frederick led the team the way we want our quarterback to," Kopp said. "He threw for four touchdowns and ran for three. We had a well-balanced attack from all of our running backs with over a hundred yards rushing on only four carries and a touchdown for Slaats. Preston Droessler had 61 yards rushing and one touchdown while Fredrick had over 100 yards rushing."
Kopp said Grant Kunkel did an excellent job all night at fullback rushing for 19 yards and the Cubans offense was very explosive with 400 yards. "Anytime a team does that you have to credit the offensive line," Kopp said. "Tim Cerjak, Ganter and Dylan Westemeir, Brett Wilson and Eric Matuszak jelled as a unit to make this happen," Kopp said. "Meckstroth didn't lose a step from last year at the tight-end position and had two receiving touchdowns. Our defense is very young this year but did a fine job. They caused some fumbles and Matuszak had a nice pick early in the game."
Meckstroth led the team in tackles with nine on the night. "It was a great win for the team and we enjoyed it but now we get into conference play," Kopp said. "We need to get better to be even more competitive in our conference."
The Cubans host Southwestern Friday night at 7 p.m.