By Bud Milroy
Sports Correspondent
While the Catholic Central High School football may have secured playoff eligibility with one week left in the regular season, there was still work to be done Friday.
The Hilltoppers did just that, routing Greendale Martin Luther 54-27 to secure their 18th consecutive postseason appearance.
“We played real well overall,” said CCHS coach Tom Aldrich. “Our line is continuing to grow and becoming more comfortable in their roles.
“It’s a long process, but they’re coming together.”
The Spartans got off to a strong start, returning the opening kickoff for a 6-0 lead.
However, the good feeling lasted all of 38 seconds and two plays from scrimmage. After gaining 12 yards on the first run, Grant Alderman picked up 60 and a touchdown on the next, and Spencer Wilker added the extra point to make the score 7-6 less than a minute into the game.
Alderman and quarterback Carson Meinholz combined on the next drive, with Meinholz going the last 32 yards for the score. Wilker kicked the extra point for a 14-6 lead, but Martin Luther’s Sam Zehnder would score from a yard out late in the first.
The second quarter was all Catholic Central. Alderman added his second score of the night on a 10-yard run, and Tegan Miles hauled in a 10-yard pass from Meinholz for the second CCHS score of the quarter.
The first half ended with Alderman blasting in from a yard out after being set up with a 49-yard run by Kyle Kresken.
Leading 33-12 going into the third, the Hilltoppers took the opening kickoff of the third and drove 61 yards. Kresken got rewarded with the touchdown. Later in the quarter, Alderman rumbled 83 yards for his fourth touchdown of the game, and with a minute to play in the period, Zach Mehring crossed the goal line on a three-yard run to close out the CCHS scoring on the night.
Alderman finished with 285 yards rushing, while Kresken posted his first 100-yard night of his career. Defensively, Tyler Burzawa led with five tackles, while Jeff Stemper had four. Mehring had two tackles, three assists and a fumble recovery, while Jake Kaider forced a fumbled.
Seeded No. 5 in their playoff bracket, the Hilltoppers will travel to Black Hawk Friday to play the 6-2 Warriors.
“I thought we had a shot at a little higher seed, but it is what it is,” Aldrich said. The two teams have met several times in the playoffs over the last few years.
“They are a seasoned team, talented, experienced and senior dominated,” Aldrich said. “Many of the kids from last year are back and I’m sure anxious to reverse last season’s disappointment.”
Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m.
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