Rockford Rams 48, Traverse City Central 28

By Jane Bos / The Grand Rapids Press
TRAVERSE CITY -- Rockford coach Ralph Munger, not one to shy away from hyperbole, said his team's first-half performance was the worst half he had ever been a part of during his 14-year career with the Rams. Obviously, losing a pair of fumbles, an interception and some costly penalties don't figure high on his list. But in the second half, even Munger had to be pleased. The Rams broke the deadlock with four touchdowns in the third quarter and powered their way to a 48-28 victory over host Traverse City Central at storied Thirlby Field. " I think it's because we are young, young, young," Munger said of his 2-0 Division 1 defending state champion Rams. "I cannot repeat some of what I said at halftime, but I can tell you that I told them they cannot possibly be any worse. See, I am getting all fired up again. But that was awful. The second half, we were ready to play ball."
Breen machine

Junior running back Zach Breen and the offensive line clearly were. With the score knotted at 6-6, the Rams rolled. Breen racked up an impressive 250 yards, including 209 and four touchdown romps in the second half. They led 34-13 entering the fourth quarter. " Coach Munger gave us a little talk, and we went out there and had fun," Breen said of the second-half effort. "He inspired us, and some of the senior captains talked. Then our line picked up, our fullback blocked, and I just had fun." Certainly looked like fun. Breen, who caught a 29-yard touchdown pass from Jon VonEschen in the second quarter, raced in scores from 2, 44, 69 and 46 yards in the second half. Teammate Frank Heeringa also scored on a 58-yard run, giving Rockford the lead for good, 13-6, two minutes into the third quarter. The Rams ended the third on a 59-yard touchdown pass from VonEschen to Callan Sherd.

TC Central (1-1), meanwhile, racked up three turnovers in the second half. " In the first half, our kids played like champions," said Trojans coach Kelly Clark, a former defensive back star at Hope College. "Then Rockford wore us down." The victory marked the second straight in as many nights by an O-K Red Conference school. Thursday night, Grandville upended TC West 28-14. The game certainly prepared the Rams for the O-K Red, which starts against West Ottawa Friday. " We needed this," Breen said. "Traverse City was a good team, and we need to be ready to play in the O-K Red."

(all photos by Chris Rozema)

back to top