RHS40, EK 36
With time running out in the game, East
Kentwood quarterback Vincent Mayfield dropped back in the pocket and
looked in the Rockford end zone for the game-winning touchdown.
But the senior quarterback had to take
off running to avoid a hard-charging Rams' rush before letting the
ball go.
The ball sailed into the end zone, but
straight into the hands of Rockford senior defensive back Ryan Shellen,
who stepped across the goal line and fell on the ball to seal a 40-36
O-K Red Conference win for the Rams over the visiting Falcons in front
of an estimated 9,000 fans at Ted Carlson Memorial Stadium Friday
night.
"The last play was crazy -- people were
flying everywhere," Shellen said of his game-clinching interception.
"It was a great game by both teams.
"It didn't matter how we won tonight,
just as long as we won," he added. "Our defense had been playing pretty
good this season, but tonight we did need some help from our offense."
It was unfitting that a defensive play
would end a contest that placed a premium on great offensive plays
and players. The teams combined for 838 yards and 76 total points.
The Rockford defense, which had been
giving up an average of fewer than two touchdowns per game before
Friday, yielded 506 yards to the Falcons, including an East Kentwood
school-record 313 yards rushing to junior fullback Donovan Terres.
He also had three touchdowns.
That didn't matter much afterward to
an excited Rockford coach Ralph Munger, whose team has won five of
its six games by four points or fewer.
"Our major emphasis tonight was we had
to play offense," Munger said. "It doesn't matter if it is 7-0, 6-3
or 1-0, it doesn't matter, the bottom line is some way you have to
find a way to get more than they do.
"They obviously have an outstanding
offense, but guess what, so does Rockford," he added. "We have a lot
of weapons, we have a lot of tools and our kids really came to play
tonight without a question. Defensively, they answered when they had
to."
The Rams' offense kept up with the Falcons,
going for 332 yards. Rockford's main weapon was senior running back
Baron Grutter, who rushed the ball 18 times for 150 yards and two
touchdowns.
"If you hang around long enough, I guess
you can really be satisfied giving up 36 points," Munger said. "I
am so happy, so pleased and we are so fortunate. These kids played
together collectively as a team. I have been extremely frustrated
with my offense, but guess what, they answered the bell tonight.
"This was huge. There are wins, and there
are victories, and this was a victory."
It was a bittersweet performance by
his team for East Kentwood coach John Shillito. On one hand he was
pleased with the Falcons' offensive output, but on the other, it was
not a good night for his defense.
"We have to step up defensively and make
some plays," Shillito said. "They are a very good offensive team,
and they have a great scheme. I thought there were three or four key
plays in the game that they made, but it was a great game."
By Jeff Chaney (Grand Rapids Press)
WAY TO GO RAMS!! WHAT A WIN!!
THE RAMS HOST THE BULLDOGS OF GRANDVILLE
FOR THE HOMECOMING GAME NEXT FRIDAY NIGHT!
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