Rockford
Rams 35. Jenison Wildcats 0
Rockford defeats Jenison to wrap up O-K Red football championship
Don Vanderveen | Advance Newspapers, October 22, 2011 12:22 a.m.
JENISON –The
final result may have been a foregone conclusion even prior to Friday
night's kickoff when Jenison's MASH unit tried to match up against
Rockford's SMASH unit.The result was predictable: Rockford clinched
its third consecutive O-K Red Conference championship and rolled
into the postseason playoffs for the 17th consecutive season with
a 35-0 victory over a banged-up Jenison squad at Wildcat Stadium.
The Wildcats played without several key players due to injuries or
illness. Even Jenison coach Irv Sigler had his right hand bandaged
up.
Rockford, meanwhile, was nearly at full strength and trying to hit
full stride heading into next weekend's first round of the MHSAA playoffs.
Rockford has made the playoffs in 18 of the past 20 seasons under coach
Ralph Munger and takes an 8-1 record (including 7-0 in the O-K Red)
into next Friday's game.
"We came out of this game healthy and the kids are still hungry
and excited about being back in the playoffs," Munger said. "You
want to go into the postseason with some momentum and on a high note.
"We're excited to see if we can do something and see if we can
win our first game."
Rockford's defense was outstanding Friday night. The Rams did not
allow a first down in eight Jenison first-half possessions until a
fake punt by Kyle Chestnut from his own 21-yard line netted 16 yards
late in the second quarter. After yielding another first down on a
pass interference penalty on the very next play, the Rams did not allow
another first down until Chestnut faked another punt from his own 6-yard
line and ran 13 yards in the third quarter.
By that time, it was 35-0 and the running clock had been ticking for
the entire second half.
Rockford scored all 35 of its points in the first half.
Wide receiver Brandon Lubenow scored on a pair of end arounds, covering
51 and 12 yards.
Connor Darby scored on a 4-yard run in the first quarter and Ryan
Hartley scored from 13 yards out in the second.
Rockford also received an 18-yard touchdown pass by quarterback Mark
LaPrairie to Justin Wustman and Steven Mette kicked five extra points.
Rockford did not have a rusher reach 70 yards, but six players – Lubenow
(67), Brady Gent (54), Joe Ramos (43), Spencer Sims (42), Hartley (32)
and Darby (32) – had 30 or more apiece as the Rams accumulated
271 yards on the ground.
LaPrairie was 7-for-13 for 90 yards with one touchdown and an interception.
"We've always been a program that spreads the wealth a little
bit," Munger said. "It keeps you healthier and fresher."
Jenison finished with four first downs, two on fake punts, one on
a penalty and one on a run in the final minute of the game. The Wildcats
managed only 104 yards in total offense. Chestnut gained 32 on the
two fake punts and one three-yard run.
"Defensively, the effort tonight was outstanding," Munger
said. "They were banged up and we were running on a full head
of steam."
Along with the busy night for Jenison punter Chestnut, the Wildcats
(2-7) also forced four turnovers. Ian Koziatek recovered two fumbles
for the Wildcats, while Austin Duval and Michael Ray both had interceptions.
"The challenge we gave to our guys was to play every play as
hard as we can," Sigler said. "What we can take away is that
we did some good things and the guys played their hearts out against
a team that is very talented.
"You can't ask for any more than that."
