Rockford Rams 35. West Ottawa Panthers 8

CONGRATULATIONS RAMS ON YOUR
2014 OK-RED CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIP

Rockford 35, West Ottawa 8: Rams clinch share of OK Red title, deny Panthers playoff berth
ByKelly Hill | grsports@mlive.com
on October 24, 2014

ROCKFORD, MI -- Rockford coach Ralph Munger smiled widely Friday night, standing in the middle of the huge, black and orange R at the center of Ted Carlson Memorial Stadium.

His Rams had just beaten West Ottawa 35-8, they had earned a share of the OK Red conference championship with East Kentwood and they were headed to the playoffs for the 20th year in a row.

“Championships are good, but they are extremely, and I mean extremely, difficult to achieve," Munger said.

KEYS TO THE GAME
A statement made by the Rockford defense on the first series of the game was critical. West Ottawa took the opening kickoff and rattled off three quick first downs, but the Rams' defense stepped up and stopped the Panthers. A bad snap in punt formation was picked up by Rockford senior linebacker Foster Leverett, who took it 21 yards for the first points of the game.

With a playoff berth on the line, penalties crushed the Panthers' chances Friday. Down by just two scores in the second quarter, they moved the ball well, but holding and illegal blocks stalled their progress, eventually giving Rockford good field positions and another TD just before the half.

ROCKFORD HIGHLIGHTS
The Rams offense converted two fourth-down runs on the way to its first touchdown of the game. Senior Jake Sendzik picked up two yards on fourth-and-one from the West Ottawa 29 and junior Brendan McKellar picked up three yards on fourth-and-one at the 19.

The Rams defense shutout West Ottawa until a score in the final two minutes of the game.

WEST OTTAWA HIGHLIGHTS
Panthers senior wide receiver David Rich gained 20 yards on a well executed reverse in the second quarter. After taking the flip, Rich had a wide open left side of the field and took the ball down to the Rockford 25.

Panthers junior Luke Bakker returned a fourth-quarter kickoff 35 yards, and later in the quarter, senior running back Christian Rodino rambled 31 yards around left end. Bakker bolted 10 yards for the Panthers' only touchdown.

GAME NOTES
Rockford has qualified for the playoff 20 consecutive years.

Fox Sports Detroit will air the MHSAA playoffs selection show Sunday at 7 p.m.