By Randy Gregory, Michigan Sports Radio
Photo courtesy of Miles Postema
Rockford had not lost a regular season game of any sort since 2019 as of two weeks ago. That changed in a 28-21 loss to a strong squad from Hudsonville and was almost stunningly followed up by a 15-14 loss to a 1-3 Jenison team that had been giving up points by the bushel basket. Now sitting at 3-2 overall and only 1-2 in OK Red play, the Rams will look to get back into the win column when they journey to Caledonia to take on the Fighting Scots on Friday, October 4 at 7:00 P.M. Caledonia is off to a sloid 4-1 start with their only loss coming in a high scoring affair against East Kentwood.
Caledonia features a power spread attack on offense that has generated nearly 40 points per contest thus far in 2024. Caledonia lost multiple starters off last year’s team including a pair of Division 1 players in Brock Townsend (CMU) and Derek Pennington JR (WMU). But the key cog returning for Caledonia is junior quarterback Brody Betser. Betser is a multi-sport standout athlete who experienced plenty of success as the starter last year and is off to an equally great start to 2024. He is joined on offense by sophomore wide receiver Lincoln Senti and two-way lineman Jackson Olin. Olin will be supported defensively by linebackers Reed Vogler and River Swanlund. The Fighting Scots are coached by Derek Pennington who led the squad to the Division 1 state finals in 2022 where they fell 35-17 to national power Belleville despite leading at the half.
Rockford leads the all-time series by the count of 9-2. Caledonia won the opening contest between the two teams by an overwhelming count of 42-0. Former Ram coaching legend vowed not to let that be forgotten as he trounced the Fighting Scots in the next several seasons. Rockford won last year’s highly anticipated battle 42-16 and Caledonia last won in 2022 by the score of 14-13 in a physical battle in the state playoffs.
