Rockford Rams 35, Muskegon Big Reds 41

Rockford's rally comes up short
Saturday, November 02, 2002 / By Mike Mattson
Grand Rapids Press News Service

Muskegon and Rockford hooked up in a double overtime Division 1 playoff thriller last season.

So it's no surprise the two teams picked up were they left off Friday night at Hackley Stadium.

Rockford quarterback Andrew Wertz lost a fumble to Muskegon's Terrance Taylor at midfield with one second left, as the Big Reds prevailed, 41-35.

"I hate to say it, but I expected it," said Muskegon coach Tony Annese, whose team led 21-0 after one quarter and totaled 431 yards for the game. "You don't blow out Rockford in the playoffs. They have game kids. They made a lot of big plays on us."

Muskegon (9-1) overcame many big plays from Rockford to advance to next week's second-round game against Bay City Central, which defeated Traverse City West 32-21.

Wertz completed 16-of-31 passes for 341 yards and two touchdowns for the Rams. On the ground for Rockford, Drew Powell carried 10 times for 139 yards and two touchdowns.

The Rams totaled 470 yards and had a furious fourth-quarter rally come up short.

The turning point came midway through the fourth quarter with Muskegon leading 41-28.

Rockford's Craig Shiels recovered a fumble and the Rams marched to the Big Reds' 1-yard line. Wertz tried to score on a fourth-down quarterback sneak, but was stopped just short with 6:28 left.

One official apparently signaled a touchdown, but after the pile was cleared, Muskegon was awarded the ball.

Rockford coach Ralph Munger was then penalized 15 yards for walking on the field. Rockford was flagged for another personal foul penalty, which helped Muskegon get away from its goal line.

"I'm not happy about that goal line play at all," Munger said. "When one of the officials has his hands up for a touchdown and it's taken away, that's not right. I got no explanation. That's two years in a row."

Muskegon won last year's game after similar controversial play.

The Big Reds still didn't put Rockford away after the stop.

The Rams took over on their 26-yard line with 3:28 remaining. After a long screen pass to Powell, Wertz tossed a 26-yard scoring pass to Joe Stalely to pull Rockford to 41-35 with 2:39 left.

Muskegon recovered an onside kick, but fumbled the ball back to the Rams with 57 seconds left. Rockford picked up two first downs before stalling at midfield.

While Rockford relied on its passing attack, Muskegon opted for the ground attack. The Big Reds rushed 56 times for 351 yards.

Fullback Jamaine Wilson carried 26 times for 129 yards, Jackson rushed 15 times for 106 yards and sophomore Jimmie Moore added 104 yards on 13 carries for Muskegon.

In the first quarter, Moore scored on a 6-yard run and a 62-yard fumble recovery in between a 1-yard touchdown run from Wilson. Jackson scored on a 3-yard run in the second quarter.

Rockford pulled within 28-21 at halftime, thanks to a 6-yard run from K.C. O'Rourke, a 24-yard TD run from Powell and a 63-yard scoring pass from Wertz to Joel Visser.