The Cumberland Football Team saw their season come to an end last Friday night in Grantsburg, when they dropped an opening round WIAA Playoff contest to the Pirates by a score of 56 to 9. With the loss, the Beavers finish with a final record of 4 and 6, while Grantsburg moves into the second round of the playoff series with a season’s mark of 10 and 0.
The contest was over early in Friday’s night match-up, when Grantsburg jumped to a 42-0 lead after quarter one. The Pirates scored four touchdowns in a total of 14 plays from scrimmage, while adding a score on an interception return and another when their player took a Cumberland punt back for a score. In staying undefeated, the Pirates definitely showed in the game’s first twelve minutes, why they are undefeated and ranked 6th in the State in Division 6.
Grantsburg would add two more scores in the second quarter for a 56-0 halftime lead. The Beavers continued to battle as the game went into the second half, however, scoring twice on a safety and a touchdown run by Roman Ranallo in the games last three minutes. A Boaz West extra point made the final 56-9.
The Beavers Roman Ranallo had another nice game, rushing for 63 yards in 16 attempts, while catching one pass for eight yards. He finishes the season with 921 rushing yards on the year.
Cayden Berghammer completed 18 of 34 attempts for 110 yards, with many of the shovel pass variety. Sloan McCreary caught eight of those balls for 52 yards, Derrick Gideo three for 28, and Uriah Johnson three for 16. Gideo finishes the year with 26 receptions for 417 yards and four scores.
Coach Tony DiSalvo called Grantsburg, “A very good team.” The Pirates next play Ladysmith on Friday in another home game. Disalvo also thanked the coaches and players for their hard work this fall and the team for finishing 4 and 3 in Conference play and securing another WIAA Playoff berth.
Beavers Place Ranallo on HON First Team; Several Other Players Honored
The Heart of the North has named its All-Conference Football Team for the 2023 season. Northwestern and Cameron shared Conference Championship honors and led the way in those recognized by the HON. Cameron had 11 players named First Team and Northwestern eight.
Cumberland’s lone First Team representative was Senior running back Roman Ranallo, He was a focus of the team’s offense and finished the season with 921 yards rushing, showing both toughness and speed. He was also a solid performer as a linebacker on defense and was an All-State Academic award winner.
The Beavers also had several players named to the Second Team.
Senior Jack Chafer was named Second Team on both the defensive and offensive lines, while teammate Ryker Allen joined him as a defensive lineman. They were keys to the Beavers defensive efforts in their four wins. Junior Derrick Gideo, meanwhile, was a Second Team End/Flanker, as he led the Beavers with 28 catches for 417 yards and four scores.
Cumberland finished the season with a 4 and 3 record in Conference play.