Randy Gregory,
Michigan Sports Radio
Photo courtesy of Miles Postema
In a contest that was probably the antithesis to what everyone expected coming in, Caledonia successfully went for broke on a two-point conversion in the second overtime to claim a 14-13 win over Rockford at Carlson-Munger Stadium in Rockford on Friday, November 4. Both teams had traded field goals in regulation to forge a 3-3 tie and for good measure they both kicked field goals in the second overtime to make it a 6-6 game into the second extra session.
Rockford had possession first in the second overtime and scored their lone touchdown of the game on a two-yard plunge from Ryan Ahern on a third down play. Caledonia jumped offsides on the point after to advance the ball to the one-and-a-half-yard line to momentarily five Rockford coach Brent Cummings second thoughts about trying for a two-point conversion of their own. But the Rams ultimately opted for the successful kick from Jackson Burkholder that gave Rockford a 13-6 lead.
The Fighting Scots scored on a two-yard dive of their own from Brock Townsend on a second-down play and appeared poised to settle for the tying kick to force a third overtime. But coach Derek Pennington, SR opted instead to send out his offense in a do or die moment that would decide the winner in a bruising affair. After calling timeout the Scots sent a shotgun snap to quarterback Mason Mackenzie and he started right before darting back inside and crossing the goal line to give Caledonia the stunning 14-13 victory before a crowd that was bursting at the seams in every direction.
The Caledonia team and faithful erupted in a tremendous burst of ebullience while the huge throng of Ram fans sat in stunned silence at the suddenness of the final outcome. The defenses for both teams were dominant from start to finish and it was a shame that one of these two powerhouse squads saw their season conclude in only the second-round of the playoffs.
“I am just so thankful to have worked with such a tremendous group of young men this year,” said Cummings. “They did everything we asked of them and gave everything they had.”
Rockford drove into Caledonia territory on four separate occasions but had only a 45-yard field goal on the final play of the first half from Burkholder to claim a 3-0 lead. The Rams also recovered a fumble and had an interception and blocked field goal but were unable to capitalize on any of those plays to expand that lead. Rockford drove to the Fighting Scot 10-yard line in the fourth quarter before an interception of their own thwarted that drive. That drive was humming along before a false start backed them up and preceded the pick. That was a common theme on the night as several false starts and bobbled snaps were crucial in putting the Rams behind the sticks on a night when every yard was contested tooth and nail from both defenses.
The loss ended Rockford’s stalwart season with a mark of 10-1 while Caledonia also moved to 10-1 and begins prepping for next week’s affair with the winner of the Grand Ledge versus Holt game. The Fighting Scots will be the host team due to the higher playoff point total they have accrued.
Mac VandenHout was 18-29 passing for 144 yards and an interception for Rockford. He also led the rushing attack with 34 yards on 14 carries. Alex McLean had yet another big game for the Rams with 10 receptions for 107 yards. Defensively, Ahern led Rockford with 15 tackles and Colby Weston added 12. Rick Beison, Gabe Stouffer and Thys Segard chipped in with 11, 8 and 7 respectively. Sophomore safety Isaac Poot had the interception and Jacob Tomasko hopped on the fumble for the Rams.
In a contest that was probably the antithesis to what everyone expected coming in, Caledonia successfully went for broke on a two-point conversion in the second overtime to claim a 14-13 win over Rockford at Carlson-Munger Stadium in Rockford on Friday, November 4. Both teams had traded field goals in regulation to forge a 3-3 tie and for good measure they both kicked field goals in the second overtime to make it a 6-6 game into the second extra session.
Rockford had possession first in the second overtime and scored their lone touchdown of the game on a two-yard plunge from Ryan Ahern on a third down play. Caledonia jumped offsides on the point after to advance the ball to the one-and-a-half-yard line to momentarily five Rockford coach Brent Cummings second thoughts about trying for a two-point conversion of their own. But the Rams ultimately opted for the successful kick from Jackson Burkholder that gave Rockford a 13-6 lead.
The Fighting Scots scored on a two-yard dive of their own from Brock Townsend on a second-down play and appeared poised to settle for the tying kick to force a third overtime. But coach Derek Pennington, SR opted instead to send out his offense in a do or die moment that would decide the winner in a bruising affair. After calling timeout the Scots sent a shotgun snap to quarterback Mason Mackenzie and he started right before darting back inside and crossing the goal line to give Caledonia the stunning 14-13 victory before a crowd that was bursting at the seams in every direction.
The Caledonia team and faithful erupted in a tremendous burst of ebullience while the huge throng of Ram fans sat in stunned silence at the suddenness of the final outcome. The defenses for both teams were dominant from start to finish and it was a shame that one of these two powerhouse squads saw their season conclude in only the second-round of the playoffs.
“I am just so thankful to have worked with such a tremendous group of young men this year,” said Cummings. “They did everything we asked of them and gave everything they had.”
Rockford drove into Caledonia territory on four separate occasions but had only a 45-yard field goal on the final play of the first half from Burkholder to claim a 3-0 lead. The Rams also recovered a fumble and had an interception and blocked field goal but were unable to capitalize on any of those plays to expand that lead. Rockford drove to the Fighting Scot 10-yard line in the fourth quarter before an interception of their own thwarted that drive. That drive was humming along before a false start backed them up and preceded the pick. That was a common theme on the night as several false starts and bobbled snaps were crucial in putting the Rams behind the sticks on a night when every yard was contested tooth and nail from both defenses.
The loss ended Rockford’s stalwart season with a mark of 10-1 while Caledonia also moved to 10-1 and begins prepping for next week’s affair with the winner of the Grand Ledge versus Holt game. The Fighting Scots will be the host team due to the higher playoff point total they have accrued.
Mac VandenHout was 18-29 passing for 144 yards and an interception for Rockford. He also led the rushing attack with 34 yards on 14 carries. Alex McLean had yet another big game for the Rams with 10 receptions for 107 yards. Defensively, Ahern led Rockford with 15 tackles and Colby Weston added 12. Rick Beison, Gabe Stouffer and Thys Segard chipped in with 11, 8 and 7 respectively. Sophomore safety Isaac Poot had the interception and Jacob Tomasko hopped on the fumble for the Rams.
