Rockford Rams 45, Jenison 32

It is a kickoff return play predicated on deception. It features multiple fake handoffs designed to leave the coverage team guessing who has the ball.

At Rockford, they call it 'Starburst.' Friday night, the Rams' K.C. O'Rourke ran it like a star, bursting into the clear on a 84-yard kickoff return for a touchdown that put the Rams ahead for good in a 45-32 victory over Jenison.

That victory, Rockford's sixth of the year, also locked up a spot in the Division 1 state playoffs beginning next week.

"We've run that play several times, and it's always somebody different who gets the handoff," said O'Rourke, a 5-9, 162-pound senior. "We've broken it for a touchdown before, but that's the first time for me.

"Nobody touched me. I just tried to hide the ball as good as I could, and ran for it."

O'Rourke's burst with 4:23 in the second quarter put Rockford ahead, 24-20. It was sixth -- and final -- lead change of the game. The Rams added a touchdown on a one-yard run by quarterback Andrew Wertz for a 31-20 lead at halftime, then opened the second half with a 61-yard TD pass from Wertz to Joe Staley to take control, 38-20.

"I'm just extremely proud of our guys and how they played tonight," said Rockford Coach Ralph Munger. "To lose three games in a row in the middle of the year like we did (West Ottawa, East Kentwood, Grandville), that can tear the guts out of you.

"But our guys played well tonight. We were balanced on offense and controlled the ball at the end to put the game away."

The loss was disappointing and puzzling to Jenison coach Dave Larkin, even though the Rockford win may help drop Jenison into Division 2 for the playoffs.

"We were coming off one of our best defensive performances of the year last week against Grandville (a 23-6 win), but we didn't even look like the same team tonight," said Larkin.

"We just didn't play with much intensity, and I can't really figure out why."

The Wildcats had locked up a playoff berth with their sixth win last weekend. Friday's loss likely will send them on the road for the playoffs, and they won't play again on their home turf until the 2004 season since a multi-million rennovation project on their athletic facilities will close their field all next year.

Wildcats' quarterback Steve Brander did his best to keep Jenison in it. He connected on 18 of 34 passes for 226 yards, including a screen pass to Eric Wierenga who then heaved an 18-yard TD toss to Drew Jenison. He also led the Wildcats in rushing with 57 yards on 13 carries.

Rockford's Wertz shook off that interception on his first pass attempt to complete 14 of 21 for 313 yards.

By Scott Scholten, Grand Rapids Press

SELECTION SUNDAY BEGINS AT 5:00 P.M.