Rockford has rarely been challenged this year on their way to an unblemished record and the number-two ranking in the state of Michigan. The Rams took things to a new level on Friday, October 6 on a rainy night at Carlson-Munger Stadium on their way to a 55-0 triumph over East Kentwood. Rockford led 35-0 after one quarter, 42-0 at the half and scored the only points of the second half to claim the impressive 55-0 win.
The Rams now stand at 7-0 on the season and 5-0 in OK Red play. The loss dropped EK to 3-4 overall and 2-3 in conference play. Coupled with Grandville’s last second 40 to 34 win over Caledonia, that sets up a huge clash next Friday at Grandville with the winner claiming at least a share of the OK Red title. The Bulldogs will enter the fray at 6-1 overall and 5-0 in conference action.
“We had great field position early on and were then able to capitalize on a mistake on their part to take a quick lead,” said Rockford coach Brent Cummings. “Then we made some special team plays and really executed well offensively while running hard and executing blocks and it was quickly a big lead for us. Our defense shut them down all night too just as they have done all year. Add those things up and it was a good night for the Rams. It is rare to dominate a good team like that.”
Rockford wasted no time getting on the scoreboard. Ryan Ahern took it I. On the ground from 4 and 15 yards to quickly give the Rams a 13 to 0 lead. The only issue the Rams had all night was hanging onto the ball during a downpour during point after attempts.
Louis Bosscher blocked a punt on the next EK possession and Sam Cummings ran it in to make it a 19-0 game. Luke Ahern blocked another punt for a safety to make it 21-0. Drake Irwin made his return to action for the Rams, after missing most of the previous two games, and connected with his normal weapon on a 56-yard bomb to Cam Kruisenga to make it 28-0.
Irwin then deftly high-stepped his way for a 26-yard TD Run to make it a 35-0 game at the end of the first quarter. Irwin added a nifty two-yard shuffle pass to Ryan Ahern. That made it a 42-0 Ram lead at the half.
Sam Coyle ran in a 70- interception return for a TD and Brayden Daniels ran it in from five yards out to complete the scoring for the evening and cap off the scoring for the night in the 55-0 homecoming win for Rockford.
“We would not have played Drake tonight if we didn’t think he was ready, ” said Cummings. “It was great to see him be able to execute at that level after missing some time.
Irwin led the Ram rushing attack with 74 yards on four carries while going 3 for 5 passing for 70 yards and a pair of TDs. Ryan Ahern added 47 yards on seven carries while Corbin Starkey had 44 on just four attempts and Isaac Poot had 27 on five.
Andrew Hambleton led the defense with four tackles and Ryan Ahern, Kade Friesen, Logan Green, Sam Cummings, Hudson Hensley and Gabe Stouffer all chipped in with three.
“Grandville is a heck of a team and they will be prepared and ready to go,” said Cummings. “Every game is tough in the OK Red and this one will take it to an even tougher level next week.”
