By Randy Gregory, Michigan Sports Radio.
Photo by Miles Postema
After suffering their first regular season loss in five years to Hudsonville last week Rockford fell for a second consecutive week to Jenison by the score of 15-14. Jenison scored on a one-yard run with only 17 seconds left in the game. They opted to go for the win rather than forcing OT and were successful on a rollout pass to a wide open receiver in the flat to earn the huge upset.
Rockford struggled all game long establishing any continuity offensively. They scored only a single touchdown offensively against a Jenison squad that had surrendered 38 and 46 points the previous two weeks. Costly penalties, a fumble, a missed 25-yard field goal and the inability to establish a passing game proved decisive in the stunning upset.
The evening began very auspiciously for Rockford as senior safety Isaac Poot picked off an errant pass and returned it 60 yards for a touchdown that gave Rockford a quick 7-0 lead with 5:36 remaining in the first quarter.
The next Ram possession saw Rockford begin a drive at the Jenison 29 after a defensive stop. Two plays saw the Rams get to the Jenison two but a fumbled snap, stuffed run and incomplete pass later saw the Wildcats get a defensive stop of their own.
Four plays later Jenison has traversed the field as they broke loose on an 86-yard TD run that knotted the game up at 7-7 just into the second quarter. The Rams immediately responded on a 77-yard drive drive of their own to retake the lead. Braylen Daniels hooked up with Blake Linsley for a 28-yard scoring play over the middle with 6:22 left in the opening half to give Rockford a 14-7 lead.
But that would be the total output of the Ram offense for the contest. Rockford had another drive reach the Wildcat 18 before turning the ball over on downs. Jenison missed a 53-yard field goal on the final play of the opening half to keep the score at 14-7 Rockford.
Rockford had a great goal line stand of their own on the opening drive of the second half. Jenison got to the Ram one-yard line before being turned away.
The Rams appeared ready to take control of the game behind a punishing ground game as they quickly advanced into Jenison territory. But an inopportune fumble thwarted that drive as well.
Rockford later marched to the Jenison eight where they missed a field goal that would have given them a 10-point lead with only 3:40 to play. Jenison then began their march to ultimate victory with an 80-yard drive that was capped off on a bruising run to set the stage for the winning conversion.
The loss dropped Rockford to 3-2 on the season and 1-2 in OK Red play. Jenison improved to 2-3 and a matching 1-2 in conference play. The Rams return to action next Friday at Caledonia at 7:00 P.M. in an effort to right the ship.
