Weight-room rats shine during Comet scrimmage against Lions

By John Burbridge

sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — They didn’t install any bleachers within Charles City High School’s new weight room.

Tell you the truth, it would be a tough ticket to sell even if it did cater to spectators. You would have to be a real fitness nut — like those who watch the CrossFit World Championships from start to finish on low-rent TV — to pay to see people lift weights.

Fans are likely more willing to pay to see players in action during team sporting events after the weights have been lifted.

On that note, those who attended the Gatorade Football Scrimmage featuring Clear Lake and hosting Charles City at Comet Field last Friday got their money’s worth — even though admission was free.

During the scrimmage, two Comet players who Charles City head coach Bryan Bjorklund cited for perfect weight-room attendance during the offseason gave strong indications that their commitment is going to pay dividends this season.

It didn’t take long for the two aforementioned players — senior Nathan Lopez and junior Gabe Rogstad — to make their presence known.

Taking a forward “handoff pass” from Charles City quarterback Jordan Foster while in motion starting from the right slot, Lopez found daylight along the left sidelines for the first big-yardage gain of the evening thanks in part to a “pancake block” from tight end Rogstad.

That was the first of several crowd-rousing plays featuring Lopez — who rolled off numerous big-yardage runs, and Rogstad — who had several outstanding catches during the latter part of the scrimmage.

Other Comet players who stood out included the linebacker tandem of Ethan and Trevor Peterson — Ethan is Charles City’s lone returning All-District First Team player from last season; junior defensive back Josiah Cunnings, who had a Jack Tatum-like solo stick for a loss during the scrimmage; and junior receiver Keenan Wiley, who caught a 25-yard TD pass from Jordan in the end zone despite the efforts from a Lions’ defensive back who was flagged for an ineffectual pass interference penalty.

The two-hour scrimmage apparently was graced by the Football Gods as they got it in unscathed between two major rain showers that evening.

The Comets will play for real this Friday when they travel to Oelwein to take on the Huskies in the season-opener for both teams.