Rockford Rams 10. Muskegon Mona Shores Sailors 7

 

Despite win over Mona Shores, Rams have 'work to do'

By Kelly Hill | grsports@mlive.comon September 13, 2014 6:42 a.m.

ROCKFORD, MI – Discipline and fulfilling assignments will be the primary topics of discussion - and work - at Rockford's football practice on Monday. Coach Ralph Munger and the Rams were relieved to escape with their third win of the season Friday night, a 10-7 victory over Mona Shores, but “we've got a lot of work to do,” Munger said. “We have to work on discipline and assignments. Those are the things we continue to strive to get better at.

Our defense played well at the end of the game, but our offense went the other direction. We need a lot of growth from the offense. Mona outplayed us. There are no excuses, but this is a learning experience.” Rockford's defense surrendered over 300 yards, but only allowed seven points, those coming on a 79-yard run by Darece Roberson on the first play of the game. Braden King led Rockford with 10 tackles Friday night while Tyler Bradfield added seven. “That fist play was not good,” Munger said. “But those are the types of things that help us learn. This can help players gain confidence in the importance of carrying our assignments.” Rockford had 274 total yards of offense, 237 on the ground and 37 through the air in rainy conditions.

“This was a very difficult game for us,” Munger said. “Mona Shores is an outstanding team. They are very, very gifted and very, very talented. They are a classy program and we more than had our hands full tonight.” Munger said the close win could pay dividends. “We kept digging and scratching and we showed a lot of growth tonight," he said. "Our guys got their eyes opened.” Mona Shores running backs Roberson and DeOntay Moffett combined for 252 yards on the ground Friday night. “If you had said we would hold Rockford to 10 points and lose, I would have said, 'You're crazy,'” Mona Shores coach Matt Koziak said. “We turned the ball over twice though and missed a field goal, and you can't do that against good teams like Rockford.”