Rockford comes from behind
(Grand Rapids Press News Service)
Rockford was down but not out Friday night
against Davison.
With the Cardinals leading 14-11 in the third quarter, the Rams
squashed Davison's momentum by capping a six-play, 67-yard drive
with Brian Twiest's one-yard scoring run. He set up his score
with a 54-yard jaunt on third-and-10 from Davison's 45-yard line.
Davison's Josh Denkins sacked quarterback Robert Banaszak on
the two-point conversion try, leaving the score 19-14, but Rockford
had the lead for good, winning 27-21.
"I'd say our guys made just enough big plays to win," Rockford
coach Ralph Munger said. "We were concerned about this game
because we have young line and Davison is a great program. We
like this kind of competition, and so do they."
Banaszak added a 33-yard scoring pass to Aaron Kwekel on third-and-eight
with 3:12 remaining in the game and threw a two-point conversion
pass to Kyle Lienesch to make it 27-14.
The Cardinals drew with seven points on their next possession
with Jared Cowan's 15-yard scoring strike to Greg Yoesting.
Davison began its final drive at its own 10 with 48 seconds
remaining and advanced to its 34 before Rockford's Andy Wilburn
ended the Cardinals' hopes with an interception.
Davison drove deep into Rockford territory in the first quarter,
but running back Richard Kirksey fumbled at the nine-yard line.
Rockford (2-0) struck first on Kwekel's one-yard run with 10:20
to go in the first half before the Cardinals drew even at 7-7
on Kirksey's two-yard tote with 7:21 left in the half.
Rockford broke the deadlock with a nine-play, 82-yard drive
to open the second half, which ended with Twiest's 23-yard scoring
run one third-and-six. The Rams converted on third-and-seven
earlier in the drive and were 4-for-7 on third down conversions
in the second half.
Rockford was led by Twiest's 79 yards on six carries. Banaszak
completed 7-of-11 passes for 89 yards.
