Rockford QB throws 2 scores in win
(By Matt Vande Bunte / The Grand Rapids
Press)
A bevy of bungled
snaps stalled one offense while a few big plays sparked the other
Friday at Ted Carlson Memorial Stadium.
A late first-half touchdown and a dominating scoring march to
open the third quarter propelled Rockford to a 28-7 win against
East Kentwood in the O-K Red opener for both teams.
Rockford senior quarterback Robert Banaszak threw for 191 yards
and two touchdowns to balance an offense that racked up 234 yards
on the ground.
"At times (we looked good). So did they at times, but we
were able to string a few more big plays together," Rams
coach Ralph Munger said. "Banaszak had a big game to help
make those plays happen.
"We have high expectations for him. He's coming along very
nicely."
Banaszak threw for 116 yards in the third quarter as Rockford
(3-0) scored twice to seal the game.
Banaszak was 3-for-3 on a 78-yard drive capped off by a 4-yard
Alex Caurdy touchdown run, then later hit junior Aaron Kwekel
on a 62-yard bomb after throwing his lone incompletion of the
night.
Kwekel ran under the ball and caught it over his shoulder, then
broke a tackle and sped to the end zone.
"I just kept my focus and just did it," he said. "All
I can say is just teamwork."
East Kentwood (1-2) moved the ball consistently, but lost momentum
several times when shotgun snaps sailed over sophomore quarterback
AJ McEwen's head for more than 70 yards in losses.
The Falcons scored their lone touchdown on a 98-yard kickoff
return by senior Kevin Jackson to make it 21-7 midway through
the third quarter.
"We shot ourselves in the foot," East Kentwood coach
Eddie Ostopow said. "Against a team as good as Rockford,
you can't beat yourself, and we did.
"We had a lot of opportunities to score. We just gave it
back to them every time."
McEwen threw for 153 yards and scrambled free several times,
but never broke a big play. He was sacked once.
"(McEwen) is jukey and he's fast," Rockford junior
linebacker Josh Osbun said. "We just stayed home and did
our assignments. I got him (for a sack) when he wasn't looking
I guess."
Said Munger: "There were some glowing spots, and there
were some dark spots. We still have a lot of room for improvement,
but right now we're just pleased as all get out."
