TOP 10 GAMES OF ALL TIME

by Tim Saunders

            Before I get to the list, I want to give some criteria for how I came up with it. First of all, I tried to pick those games that meant the most to the community and to the program. Second, I looked to see that the game was close. Third, I tried to even out the list so that one season/team isn't represented 7 times. Finally, I limited the games to those I had been to or played in, a span that covers 11 years.

            Also, since this season is still in progress, I decided not to include any games from this year. And that is a good thing, otherwise half the list may be very familiar and fresh in our memories.

            Ok, enough stalling. Here is my list.

            10) Rockford at West Ottawa 1992

            The Rams of '92 featured as powerful and tough a team as any of the past 10 years. While they didn't possess the athleticism and speed of the teams that followed them, they did something no other Rockford team prior had done: win the OK-Red tittle. Seniors Seth Yon, Jason Grutter, Chad Klaver, and Jason Schaub led Rockford through a tough conference season and into the playoffs. Tim Saur hauled in a key touchdown pass on a cold and windy night, and the Rams prevailed 18-8.

            9) Rockford at Brighton 1999 Regional Final

            A late blooming Ram squad of '99 finally came together to shock Midland and Grand Haven on the road in the playoffs. The Rams won their fourth straight regional final on this day, dealing Brighton a physical pounding that may have no equal. The Rams found themselves down at halftime and came out in the second half determined to play on one more week. Playing in an unseasonably warm November afternoon, the Mike Lundberg-led defense unloaded on a talented Brighton spread-offense. The Rams made a mark on the east side of the state and won 40-20.

            8) Rockford at Jenison 1996

            Things did not look promising heading into this game. The Rams had eeked out a win the week before over class BB Catholic Central, and carried a four game losing steak to the Wildcats into the contest. Each team looked tentative with their first few possessions, and then the game broke wide open. J.R. Rhode blocked a Jenison punt in their end zone, recovered the ball for a touchdown, and the Rams never looked back. The Rams had a 42-0 halftime lead, en route to a 42-8 win. This win was the springboard for much greater things for this team.

            7) East Kentwood at Rockford 1995

            The '95 Rams had a lot to accomplish heading into their season. Consecutive losing seasons had brought down the Rams, yet the '95 Rams didn't flinch at their opportunity to turn the program around. With one of the most dominating defenses the Rams ever fielded, Rockford equaled a previous best for a conference mark by winning a close game over the Jon Anes led Falcons, 14-7. This win also marked the return of the Rams to the playoffs, propelling Rockford to a second ever playoff berth.

            6) Rockford at Jenison 1998

            The Jenison faithful printed t-shirts the week before the game that had the unbeaten Rams listed with a 6-1 record after facing the Wildcats. Rumor has it that those shirts are the brightest in Jenison since they've only been worn and washed once. Jenison had a chance to make their T-shirt prophecy a reality until a late fumble was recovered by senior Courtney Yon at the Ram 15 yard line. Rockford finished up unbeaten in conference play and captured their third straight OK-Red conference title. Rams win 7-6.

Rockford would match up with the Wildcats again in the first round of the playoffs, this time beating them 35-14.

            5) Grand Ledge at Rockford 1997 Regional Final

            The '97 Rams were the first (and only) Rockford team to post a 9-0 regular season record, the first to go 7-0 in the OK-Red, and the first (and only) to be ranked in USA Today's football poll. There were a lot of great things that this team accomplished on and off the field. They have a lot to be proud of.

One of those things is capturing a second straight regional title. The Rams dismantled Lansing Eastern the previous week 49-7, scoring 42 on the Josh Thornhill led team before halftime. So shocking was this that Grand Ledge coach Pat O'Keefe claimed on Lansing TV that it was a fluke that would not be repeated against his Comets.

He was right.

The Rams scored 45 before halftime.

The greatest assembly of football talent that Rockford has ever fielded enjoyed a fitting home finale before 9000 snow covered fans.

Final score, 45-13.

            4) Rockford vs. Detroit Catholic Central 1998 State Final

            I had a really hard time wondering where to place this game on my list. This state final appearance is the pinnacle of Rockford football. Not only that, but it was probably one of the best state final games I've ever seen, Rockford or otherwise. Even though it wasn't a Ram victory, this game is the high water mark for the football program.

            It was a high water mark for the community as well. A sea of orange covered half of the Silverdome, impressing even Shamrock fans. I was purchasing a book a year later at GVSU's bookstore when the teller, noticing my Ram pullover, asked if I graduated from Rockford. Her brother played for Detroit Catholic Central, and she noted, 'None of us could believe how many fans you had and that they all wore orange. We were embarrassed that there weren't more of us there for our team. You guys must really love football.'

Dan Richards and Tony Savickas each had great games, as did the entire Rockford defense. It's no mean feat to hold the defending state champs in check on the ground, especially one that boasts as much talent as the Shamrocks did. High school football Internet-guru 'Searn' has this Detroit Catholic Central squad listed as the states all-time best at his web site. The Rams pushed them to the limit, and came up five minutes short. In fact, this was one of those games that they could still be playing, exchanging touchdowns and the lead. Unfortunately, time ran out on the Rams, 27-23.

3) East Kentwood at Rockford 2000 First Round Playoff

Don't let their record, or (relatively) early playoff exit fool you; this team is among the best that Rockford has ever fielded. A field goal as time expired in the regional final against eventual state champion Grand Ledge was the difference between a 9-3 record and who knows what might have been.

East Kentwood must also wonder what might have been following the frantic finish to this first round playoff classic. The Rams spotted East Kentwood at 24-8 lead before realizing that the season ends with a loss. Jarad Smith's two touchdowns helped the Rams pull even with the Falcons.

Vance Nardin rumbled 70 yards to give the Falcons the lead with less than 5 minutes to play in the game. Kentwood ended up with the ball, and the game, seemingly in hand before a fumble with 1:25 to play gave the Rams life.

Converting on 4^th down not just once but twice on the final drive, the Rams marched 70 yards with only one timeout in hand. Nate Teft scored his second touchdown of the game with just :09.5 seconds to play. The Rams win an electrifying playoff thriller, 32-30.

            2) Rockford at East Kentwood 1998

            Why rank this game as high as I did? It's not a playoff game. It wasn't a league championship game, either. Plus, Kentwood's record wasn't that great.

            Well, simply put, what Dan Richards did in this game is what every child who ever touches a football dreams of and practices in his backyard; throwing a game winning touchdown pass as time expires.

            East Kentwood took the lead with :54 seconds to play, 26-21. Rockford had only one time out to spare, and 60 yards to go. The drive started with a 40-yard pass from Richards to Mike Oaks. Another completion to Andy Segard brought the Rams closer to the end zone, but only :08 seconds remained in the game. With 15 yards to go, Richards took the snap from under center and dropped back. Scanning the field, Richards had five receivers probing the Falcon secondary for an opening, and one Kentwood defensive lineman with a hand reaching out for a game ending sack.

            Richards somehow managed to elude the defender, and began sprinting towards the line of scrimmage. More Kentwood down linemen were closing in and only two options remained; run for the end zone, or hope for a receiver to come open.

            As it appeared to all that Richards would attempt to scamper into the end zone, he quickly fired the ball at Segard in the back of the end zone. Lying out along the grass, Segard slid across the field with the ball tucked safely away in both of his arms. Game over. Rockford wins, 27-26.

1)Bay City Central at Rockford 1996 Regional Final

This is the greatest game in the history of Rockford football.

When the season began, no one expected this team to do anything. They had graduated a very strong senior class and were woefully short on players with game experience. Some questioned whether there was any senior leadership to be found among them.

They barely beat class BB Catholic Central in their first game. Some were expecting a blow-out the next week at defending league champion Jenison. They were right, although few would have predicted Rockford to win 42-8. Fewer still would have believed that prediction.

As the season wore on, these Rams were faced with more of the same doubts. 'Are they for real?' After a dominating win against eventual class A state champion Grandville, the Rams still hadn't been totally accepted among fans, the media, or other teams as a legitimate playoff contender.

The '96 Rams equaled previous school records for regular season record, conference record, and won a conference title. Yet still there were doubters. Not so much about the team, but about Rockford. 'Are they for real?'

Following a frantic playoff selection Sunday, the Rams found that they would host their first playoff game ever against traditional power Muskegon. A new tradition would start for Rockford the next Saturday, as the team that everyone questioned answered back the only way they knew how: beating Muskegon 41-6 and winning the school's first playoff game.

Rockford now had the chance to play in the regional final against a crafty team from Bay City Central. This is what the playoffs were about. This was exciting and new. Who was Bay City? What was their mascot? What colors were they? Would their band be any good? Would they bring a lot of fans?

The most exciting thing that the '96 Rams brought us (in addition to this game) was the fun that the playoffs are. There's mystery in who the opponent is. There's finality in the games: win and you're in, lose and the season is over. Big crowds come out to the games. The Ted is rocking. The air is electric. Sometimes it snows. There is nothing like playoff time in November.

This particular playoff game was a classic. Mike Segard threw three touchdown passes for the Rams, but Bay City's quarterback proved that he could equal Segard. With a tricky play-action passing attack, the Wolves overcame a 14-0 deficit to take a 21-14 lead.

Jeff Wilson led the Rams back in the second half to keep the Rams in the game.

Actually, Wilson did more than lead the Rams back. He carried the Rams on his back. He rushed past, over and through anyone who stood between him and the end zone. With time running out in the fourth quarter, Wilson's two touchdowns brought the Rams back from the edge of defeat to tie the game at 28-28.

The Ram defense, one the best Rockford defenses in school history, surrendered yards to Bay City on their final drive, but no points. With a minute to go in the game, the Rams, paced by Dan and Tom Hosford, held firm with a goal line stand and forced Bay City to attempt a field goal for the win. Intense pressure from the Rams extra point block team caused a Wolf defender to inadvertently block his own teams kick.

The Rams took possession of the ball and quickly marched down the field behind runs by Segard and Hosford, but a field goal attempt of their own came up short as time expired. It was time for overtime.

Rockford struck quickly as Segard connected with a wide-open Pete Buurstra in the end zone on only their second play. The Rams looked cool and poised on offense, and seemed to have the game in hand, but a missed extra point looked as if the Ram's season could be doomed to an overtime loss.

Bay City took possession at the Ram 10, in the south end zone of the Ted. Their first play, a sweep to the outside, was met by Tom Hosford one yard deep in the Wolves backfield. Second down and 11 almost proved disastrous for Bay City. Senior defensive lineman Mike Saunders knocked the ball loose from the Wolves quarterback, but an alert Bay City lineman covered the ball before the Rams could claim it.

Third down and 11 was the crucial play of the series. Bay City had damaged Rockford's defense all day long with their play-action pass, and it was only natural to do what worked best when the game was on the line. The Ram's defense was prepared though, and the defensive secondary was ready.

The Wolves quarterback took the snap from under center, faked the hand-off to his running back, and rolled back to pass. An alert Rockford secondary held to their assigned coverage, and there were no open receivers for Bay City. Pressure from Rockford's interior line forced the Wolves quarterback away from his protection, and he scrambled back from the line of scrimmage.

Away from the play, Saunders was blocked and knocked to the ground by the Wolves offensive line. There is a reason that coaches teach their players not to give up on a play, and that reason is what Saunders did next.

Picking himself up off the ground, Saunders spied the Wolves quarterback and bolted after him. They met 18 yards later at the Rams 28, as the Bay City quarterback was hit and dropped for a game breaking sack.

With 4^th and 28, the Wolves called timeout and lined up with three receivers to the right of their formation. It was presumably one of many Hail Mary's called in the moments before the snap.

Bay City's line held firm, and the Rams couldn't pressure the Wolves quarterback. The pass was delivered and seemed to hang in the air. One thing was certain as soon as it was thrown: it would reach the end zone.

As the pass arced down, a crowd of Rams and Wolves camped underneath. Rising above all others was the Ram who carried the team on his back in the fourth quarter. Wilson jumped up and calmly batted the ball down to the earth.

Game over, 34-28.

Like nothing that had ever come before, the Rams of '96 set the precedent and expectations of all Rockford teams that would follow them. They rallied a community around high school football and inspired a massive following and support that few schools enjoy in Michigan or in the Midwest. Five straight regional final appearances, four semi-finals, three conference championships, and one state finals appearance; all of these started with this group, and this game was their finest moment.

This doesn't have to end here! Send me your own list, and why, of Rockford's 10 best games of the past 10 seasons. If you can make a case of some other compelling moments in Rockford's football history, aside from the past 10 years, send those in too. Email those thoughts and comments to me at tim_saunders41@hotmail.com and we'll feature the best replies here in a future column. Go RAMS!

Honorable Mention Games:

2000 Grand Ledge 27-30: Tough loss to eventual state champs

1997 East Kentwood 14-12: Big win over classic conference rivals

1997 Jenison  35-23: 'You Got Rockford'

1996 East Kentwood 6-7: Defensive battle that EK wins on blocked FG

1996 Grandville 23-13: Only loss for state champion Bulldogs

1996 Muskegon 41-6: First ever playoff win, first home playoff game

1994 East Kentwood  7-3: Another EK gem decided in the last minute

1993 Grandville 28-38: First ever game at the Ted is a close loss to Bulldogs

1992 Grand Ledge 0-24: Battered Rams lose first ever playoff game