Burlington C. gains a win for pride

When Burlington Central couldn't run inside, the Rockets ran outside. The Rockets found enough running room along the sidelines to defeat Marengo, 35-14, in Big Northern East action in Marengo Friday night.

Rocket quarterback Tim Botsford scored 3 touchdowns, Tommy Gast returned a kickoff for a score and, except for a handful of big plays, the Rockets' defense held the Indians in check.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Rockets broke the game open with 3 quick scores. Botsford raced around left end and into the corner of the end zone for a 26-yard score.

On the next series, the Rockets moved 61 yards in just 6 plays. Gast gained 39 yards around right end and Botsford covered the last 22 yards to make it 14-0.

On their next possession, Central made it 21-0, with Jeremy Lee scoring from 15 yards out, again on an end run.

Botsford finished with 144 yards on 15 carries.

"Earlier in the year, he opened some eyes with his ability to pass, and tonight he opened some eyes with his ability to run," said Central coach Aaron Wichman of Botsford.

Although the Rockets (2-5, 2-1) are out of playoff contention, they played hard.

"All we're playing for is pride now," said Botsford. "We've got to come out and perform well."

Marengo (1-6, 0-3) took the second-half kickoff and marched 60 yards in just 3 plays. Bobby Gaines had runs of 26 yards and 32 yards for the score.

But the Rockets answered immediately. Gast took the ensuing kickoff and wove through traffic 79 yards for the score. Botsford ran for the conversion after a bad snap.

Botsford added a 20-yard scoring run late in the third quarter.

Lee and Gast each added 54 rushing yards for the Rockets, while Max Kling finished with 53.

Wichman noted that the Rocket seniors showed the way, including Gast, Kling, Lee, and defensive stopper Frank Wleklinski.

"The seniors are playing hard and playing with pride," said Wichman.