Rockford uses run game, special teams to thump Davison
Bill Khan | Flint Journal
DAVISON -- Davison coach Jake Emmendorfer wasn't looking for
excuses, but Rockford coach Ralph Munger was willing to cut the
Cardinals some slack.
It's never an easy assignment to open a football season against
the defending state champion, tougher still when a team is trying
to implement a new offense.
Throw in Davison's inability to stop the run and problems on
special teams, and the result was a 38-13 loss to Rockford on
Friday night.
"I respect the program Jake is trying to put together," Munger
said. "His kids maybe need a little more time, similar to
the (Michigan coach) Rich Rodriguez thing. You have to have more
time to have your kids understand a little better what you're
trying to do. That may have played into it."
Even though both teams returned only three starters, Davison
was playing its first game under a new coach, while Rockford
was beginning the 18th season under Munger.
As was the case last season in a 20-19 loss at Rockford, Davison
was hurt by the Rams' special teams.
Rockford started the scoring when Neil VanderLaan blocked a
punt and Brian Fischer scored on a 4-yard return of the loose
ball just 2:08 into the game. The Rams also blocked an extra
point and got a safety when a snap from punt formation went over
the head of Davison punter Mike Dolloff.
"Obviously, that's not the start you want, especially with
a young group," Emmendorfer said. "If something bad
happens with a young group, they'll be more tentative. You always
wonder how a young group is going to respond to adversity lke
that, especially early on.
"Rockford is a great program. We had some positive things
happen tonight. Obviously, we made our share of mistakes and
we've got to work to get better, but overall we have some positives
to build on."
After opening the scoring with the blocked punt, Rockford went
41 yards in 10 plays -- all on the ground -- to go ahead 15-0
on its first offensive possession.
Davison barely converted a fourth-and-one play from its own
32 on its next series, eventually getting back into the game
when Dipzinski caught a tipped ball downfield for a 40-yard touchdown
on the first play of the second quarter. The extra point was
blocked.
Rockford got its safety when Davison had to punt on its next
series, then scored on a 38-yard run by Joe Johnson for a 24-6
lead. A 26-yard run by quarterback Taylor Masiewicz built the
lead to 31-6 by halftime.
Johnson ran seven times for 59 yards and a touchdown to lead
Rockford's ground attack.
Davison ran the ball 48 times for 148 yards, going up the middle
with fullbacks Josh Lazenby and Brandon Cooper 28 times for 115
of those yards. The offense was most effective on a couple big
pass plays from Jake Thompson to Tad Dipzinski, one of which
went for a 40-yard touchdown.
Thompson finished 7-for-14 for 113 yards and a touchdown, with
Dipzinski catching three passes for 90 yards.
The problem was, Thompson didn't have much time to throw most
of the night. He was sacked four times and had to tuck the ball
and run on other occasions.
Thompson, like his coach, didn't use the new system as a crutch.
"It's all in place now," Thompson said. "We all
know it. We've just got to execute."
