Rockford defeats Grandville to secure playoff berth
Jonathan Kollnot | Advance Newspapers, October 08, 2011 12:14
a.m.
GRANDVILLE – Friday's game might not have looked big on
paper for the Rams, but the long-term numbers did all the talking:
18 out of 20, and 17 in a row.
That's 18 playoff appearances in 20 years, as well as 17 consecutive
for a Rockford football team that dominated Grandville 45-0 to
clinch another potential run for a state title. The win moves
the Rams to 6-1 overall and in the driver's seat in the O-K Red
with a 5-0 league mark.
The Rams have Hudsonville and Jenison remaining on their schedule,
so it appears that a conference crown is well within their grasp
alongside the playoff berth.
"The best thing about the whole thing is, hey, we've qualified," said
Rockford coach Ralph Munger. "We're in the playoffs. We
feel real good about that; that has been a major point of emphasis.
But we still have two big ball games coming up, and we're in
pursuit of the O-K Red title. That is within sight.
"Obviously, we're excited to be in the playoffs again."
The heavily-favored Rams did not disappoint their traveling
faithful against Grandville. After having a touchdown called
back and missing a field goal on its opening drive, Rockford
took over in a "Gent"-lemanly manner: with Brady Gent,
that is. The Rams' standout senior running back popped off a
53-yard run and a 37-yard touchdown scamper, and he added a two-yard
score with 1:18 left in the first quarter.
In the second quarter, Rockford senior quarterback Mark LaPrairie
connected with Gent for touchdowns passes of 12 and 41 yards,
and LaPrairie hit senior wide receiver Justin Wustman for a 47-yard
score to make it 35-0 with 2:57 left in the first half.
The Rams defense, meanwhile, only once allowed the Bulldogs
to cross the 50-yard line, and then Rockford junior KC Zenner
immediately intercepted a pass to set up the fourth touchdown
of the half.
Although the Rams had the running clock activated for the entire
second half, Munger said his team never looked past a struggling
Grandville squad.
"There's some things about playing games of this nature
that still offer a challenge," said Munger. "No. 1,
obviously you've got to prepare your game plan so that you don't
get upset. You got to learn to continue to play hard, otherwise
it ends up being a sloppy game, a game where execution isn't
real good; just a bad game.
"I'm happy because starting the second half we were able
to play reserves and backups. That to me was very worthwhile
to try to reward our young men who've been working hard in practice
and give them some playing time and have a chance to watch them
in an actual competition. That's important, that's big."
In the second half, the Rams added a 44-yard field goal by senior
kicker Steven Mette and a four-yard touchdown run by senior Spencer
Sims. Mette went 5-of-5 on PAT kicks, and junior Curran Schoff
hit the extra point on the Rams' final touchdown.
Gent rumbled for 146 yards and two touchdowns on nine carries
while grabbing two touchdowns catches for 53 yards. LaPrairie
finished 10-of-16 for 105 yards and three touchdown passes through
the air.
Grandville junior Courtney Meyers rushed five times for 18 yards,
while fellow junior Ryan Bischoff made two catches for 17 yards
and junior Tyler Kendregen had a 33-yard reception. Bulldogs
senior quarterback Colin DeKam went 7-of-14 passing for 83 yards
and an interception.
Rockford hosts Hudsonville for Homecoming on Friday, while Grandville
(0-5, 0-7) takes on neighborhood rival Jenison in O-K Red action.
