The first level of playoff is under their belts, so hopefully the jitters of the post season will be too. A rough start for the Cubans proved to be just that, a rough start. The Cuba City football team managed to shake off a first quarter Mondovi touchdown to prevail in the 38-13 win.
Cuba City head coach, Guy Kopp said this was a true play-off game. "Teams played the first half with an ultimate high and teams scored on others turnovers," Kopp said. "We told our kids at the half, 'calm down and play our game,' made some adjustments on defense and told them the team that is going to win is the team that doesn't turn the ball over."
In the first quarter, Alex Murphy scored a huge 35-yard touchdown to bring the Cubans even with a Greg Ganter extra point. In the second quarter, Brandon Slaats came up big with a four-yard run to put the Cubans in control with a 14-0 lead after Ganter's extra point. Mondovi scored again right before the end of the first half, but their extra point attempt failed at the hands of defensive lineman Trent Denlinger. "Trent Denglinger came up big right before half to block the extra point," Kopp said. "He has some great hops to get that ball."
In the second half, Cuba City had two picks with one for the score by Slaats. "We won the game Cuba City Style," Kopp said. "Alex Murphy ran the ball hard with 18 carries for 108 yards and three touchdowns. Brandon Slaats had 18 carries for 114 yards and two touchdowns. This is a true credit to our offense line that blocked well and maintained their blocks."
Kopp said the defensive line played well. "Although they had two touchdown passes, our guys had position and Mondovi made great plays," Kopp said. "That is just play-off football."
Kopp applauds the effort of kicker Greg Ganter. "Once again Golden toe Ganter came through big with his leg a 61 yard punt in the first half to get us out of a hole and was 4-4 on extra points and a 27 yard field goal," Kopp said. "It is a big advantage to have a kicker but it becomes huge in the play-offs.
Cuba City improves to 9-1 overall and finished the SWAL season with a 6-1 record. Cuba City advances to Level II against Necedah at Necedah on Friday night at 7 p.m.