Wins final game, 42-8
IMLAY CITY — The Imlay City varsity football team wrapped up their 2021 campaign with a 42-8 road triumph against Flint last Friday night.
With the decision, Imlay City finishes at 2-7.
“This was a solid overall and team effort and a great way to send our seniors out on a high note,” Imlay City Coach Brian Tresnak said. “We are proud of how these guys keep fighting week after week and are always trying to improve and find positives,” he noted.
Imlay City’s Cristian Rojas sprints down the field en route to a touchdown versus Flint last Friday.
“This senior class has done a good job of setting up the future for this program. I look forward to seeing the underclassmen take the reins next year.”
In Friday’s contest, Imlay City jumped out to a 19-8 advantage after one quarter was done and widened the gap to 26-8 at the half.
When the action resumed, Imlay City continued to pull away. Aided by a 7-0 third quarter edge, the Spartans increased their cushion to 33-8 with 36 minutes gone.
Imlay City then outscored Flint 9-0 the rest of the way, closing out a 42-8 win.
The visitors generated their 42-point total aided by a Cristian Rojas three-yard touchdown run (followed by a successful extra point kick courtesy of Chris Nava), a Lance Wolford three-yard touchdown run; a Jacob Burgess six-yard touchdown run; a Julian Rojas 20-yard touchdown run (followed by a successful extra point kick courtesy of Nava); a Christian Rojas 35-yard touchdown run (followed by an accurate extra point kick from Sergio Galiana); an Aaron Evely one-yard touchdown run (followed by a successful extra point kick courtesy of Galiana); plus a Julian Rojas and Dillan Landerschier combined sack for a safety.
For the night, Burgess completed two of five pass plays for 25 yards as Imlay City’s quarterback. He threw two interceptions along the way.
Brady Vanderploeg was the other Imlay City player who opted to air out the football. His lone attempt went for a 29-yard completion.
Julian Rojas (two for 43 yards) and Vanderploeg (one for 11) had Imlay City’s catches.
The Imlay City ground attack managed 321 yards on 33 totes.
Cristian Rojas (10 rushes for 159 yards) and Julian Rojas (113 yards on 10 totes) put up Imlay City’s best numbers. The remaining 13 Spartan totes netted a combined 49-yard gain.
Julian Rojas (eight solos and eight assists) and Wolford (eight solos and seven assists) supplied Imlay City’s highest tackle outputs. Xander Nolin (three solos and three assists) and Landerschier (two solos and three assists) also made their presence felt.
The Imlay City defense also wound up with four takeaways that evening. Danny Newsom (two interceptions) along with Julian Rojas and Dalton Sands (a fumble recovery each) contributed those.
Kevin Kissane
Kevin Kissane has been covering high school sports for the Tri-City Times since 1985. When not standing on a field or court with his camera and notepad, he enjoys golf, travel and family. Kevin is a 1980 graduate of Capac High School, and is also a grad of St. Clair Community College and earned a degree in journalism from Central Michigan University.
