Rockford Rams 24. Saline Hornets 37

Saline Powers past Rockford in First Meeting of Football Standouts

By Steve Ungrey | Steven_Ungrey@mlive.com 
on August 29, 2015 12:58 AM, updated August 29, 2015 9:51 AM

Two of the biggest football powerhouses in the state had never met on the gridiron prior to Friday.

Saline and Rockford have combined for 28 playoff appearances since the 1995 season and are likely to gain berths again this year.

If Josh Jackson has his way, he will take Saline all the way to the state finals.

Jackson threw for 354 yards and four touchdowns as Saline opened the season with a 37-24 victory. The Hornets picked up right where they left off a year ago as they advanced to Ford Field but lost to Clarkston in the Division 1 championship game.

"Rockford's been such a great program and teams that are great like that ended up having a hard time playing opponents," Saline coach Joe Palka said. "This has the brewings of a great rivalry, and we wouldn't have seen them until the state finals so we thought why not play each other now. It was just a great matchup with two strong programs."

Saline hadn't been to a state final before last year, while Rockford has been to the championship game five times. The Rams lost to Detroit Catholic Central in the Class AA finals in 1998 before it beat Sterling Heights Stevenson in 2004 and Canton in 2005 for back-to-back Division 1 state titles.

Rockford then lost to Macomb Dakota in 2006 and beat Lake Orion in 2008. "Saline lived up to billing," Rockford coach Ralph Munger said. "We struggled all night offensively and they basically shut us down. I was extremely impressed with Josh. He's a tough kid and took a couple big hits after he threw the ball. If we'd have been there a split second before it might have been different."Saline outgained Rockford 490-262, but the Rams ground out 213 rushing yards to Saline's 136.

"This game will ultimately prove out to be one that will hopefully accelerate our growth, and we've got another game next week like that," Munger said. Rockford takes on Holt at home on Thursday. "With the help of video, our young men will take away some great information."

Stevie Kise caught seven passes for 152 yards and Jeb Palka had 13 catches for 148 yards. Each player scored twice.

With two big games coming up against Toronto St. Mike's and Ann Arbor Skyline, Palka said his team needs to get better.

"St. Mike's has big and talented players," Palka said. "It's like a sister school to Detroit Catholic Central and their players are used to traveling and playing American teams."