Rockford Rams 46. Caledonia Fighting Scots 20

Rockford football gets measure of revenge with 46-20 rout over Caledonia

By By Zach Kukkonen | grsports@mlive.com  on September 25, 2015 11:15 PM

ROCKFORD -- After then-No. 2 Rockford was crushed 42-0 on Caledonia's field last season, the Rams had this game circled on their calendar when the schedule was released for 2015.

The Rams (3-2) certainly got a measure of revenge Friday and avoided falling below .500 with a 46-20 victory against the Fighting Scots (2-3). Senior captain Tyler Bradfield caught a pair of touchdown passes and sparked a second-half rout by running the opening kickoff back 78 yards for another score.

That kickoff return ended up being a game-changer, as it put the Rams ahead 13 and the Scots in a hole they never dug themselves out of. "We drew it up just on the board before we came out of the half," Bradfield said. "I didn't know what to look for, but I saw a little seam, and there was a great block ahead of me and I finished the run." Especially for the seniors, this was an important game to redeem themselves as well as keep the Rams' playoff hopes alive.

"Coach Munger put up signs everywhere just reminding all the seniors how we got embarrassed last year and how that wasn't going to happen again," Bradfield said. "He told us every day and reminded us of 42-0, and to go out there (tonight) and make a new memory."

Both teams came out with intensity, as the Rams' passing attack was nearly unstoppable in the first half as was the Scots' running game. After a tough first series, Caledonia's offense settled down and ended up taking a 14-13 lead in the second quarter on a tough 10-yard touchdown run from quarterback Tanner Christian.

Yet the Rams buckled down from there, as Rockford ran off 26 unanswered points from there to please the home crowd and get coach Ralph Munger his 301st career win. Sophomore quarterback Jason Whittaker ran for more than 50 yards and a touchdown and threw for another 300 with three touchdowns to lead the Rams to a pivotal win.

"Once you get to three losses, if you lose one more, you're out and it's tough to run the OK Red," Bradfield said. "So we knew this was a must-win game for us."

With the running game stalled by the Caledonia defense early, the Rams opened up the playbook a bit and Whittaker responded positively. At one point, Whittaker was 8-of-9 for 134 yards in the first half, and he also turned on the jets for a 41-yard touchdown run to put the Rams back ahead for good in the second quarter.

"Their defense is very stingy ... with regard to the run, so we opened it up and there were a lot of good things that came from it," Munger said.

After tallying his 300th victory on the road against Grandville last week, Munger was presented with a plaque and the game ball after the game as the crowd chanted his name once again.

GAME NOTES

Rockford kicker Quinn Nordin, who has committed to Penn State, was hurt on an onside kick attempt early in the game and did not return. Offensive lineman Sam Corey took over kicking duties and managed an extra point as well as some solid punts.

Caledonia now must bounce back against Lowell next week, while Rockford takes on Grand Haven.