ROCKFORD ATHLETICS I HOME OF THE RAMS

By Randy Gregory, Michigan Sports Radio Photo courtesy: Miles Postema The 2024 season saw some upsets, as every year does, but few where bigger than the upset Jenison pulled off over Rockford at Carlson-Munger Stadium when they went for a two-point conversion in the final seconds to pull off the stunner. This year the Rams came out focused and determined to make amends. Consider the message delivered as Rockford cruised to a 38-7 win over the Wildcats to move their record to 5-2 on the season and 4-1 in the OK Red. Hudsonville pulled off another stunning catch on a tipped pass in the final seconds to top East Kentwood 43-42 to remain alone atop the conference standings. The game began with Jenison having a bit of success with short crossing passes as they moved to the Ram 26 before turning the ball over on downs. Before scoring a late TD on the Rams second unit, that was the last time the Wildcats saw the Ram side of the 50 other than an interception and a Ram penalty that got the to the Rockford 48. Brody Schuiteman had a big game last year for Jenison on the ground but the Ram defenders totally took him out if the game by stopping his progress on nearly every carry before it even got started. The pass defense also tightened up and continually frustrated Jenison’s attempts in the passing game for the balance of the contest. For their part, the Rockford offense got on a roll in the second quarter as they exploded for 28 points to take complete control of the game. Jenison was determined to not let the Rams beat them over the top with their dangerous passing game and played accordingly deep on every snap. So Rockford resorted to the running game and shorter passes while allowing the receiving corps to get chunk yards on their own. Luke Ahern scored the initial Ram TD on a four-yard run over the left side to give Rockford a 7-0 lead over Jenison at the 11:24 mark of the second quarter. Dawson Hoekert added the first of his five successful PAT attempts to tack on the seventh point. Brayden Daniels connected with Owen Holt at the 6:13 mark of the second quarter on a beautiful 6-yard out route on the left side to make it a 14-0 game. PJ LeBlanc then corralled a deft reaction interception for Rockford on the next Jenison possession that he returned to the Wildcat 17. The Ram offense wasted no time taking advantage of that turnover as Daniels dropped back to pass o the first play. Daniels then floated a pass down the left side to Drew Ferwerda that the 6’6″ receiver hauled in over the top of the defender to make it a 21-0 game. The rout was on at that point as on the next Rockford possession Daniels sent a screen pass out to Jax Eichbauer from the Ram 17-yard line. Eichbauer caught the pass and began bobbing and weaving his way up field for a play that gained 69 yards before Eichbauer was brought down at the Wildcat 14. Ryan Kerry took it in two plays later as he went in from a yard out untouched to make it a 28-0 game at the half. Rockford received the second half kickoff and proceeded to march the ball 70 yards for another score to make it a 35-0 game and set the running clock in motion. It took 13 plays and was capped off by another Ahern rush for a score to make it a 35-0 game. Hoekert added a 42-yard field goal to make it 38-7 following the lone Jenison score. The majestic kick cleared the bar by several yards and showcased another weapon the Rams have at their disposal. The balance of the contest saw little action save for the late Wildcat score when they left the starters in against the Ram second unit. Rockford substituted liberally on both sides of the ball as multiple players were able to procure valuable experience. The message to the team was to come out here and execute the details of their assignment after what happened last year,” said Rockford Coach Brent Cummings. “It was a vey workmanlike performance and they were coached up on specific details on every single assignment and we executed the little things while stepping up and doing a good job every step along the way. The defense had a “rally to the ball” mentality that they executed all game long and the offense did a nice job adjusting to their secondary bailing early on every play. It was a solid win and I was pleased with the way we came out from the start and maintained the intensity for the balance of the game.” Rockford will now move back to the friendly confines of Carlson-Munger Stadium for their final two games of the regular season. The first of those final two games is a contest against Caledonia on Friday, October 17 at 7:00 P.M. The Scots lost a tough 33-30 game to West Ottawa that dropped them to 3-4 on the season.