By Randy Gregory, Michigan Sports Radio
Photo courtesy of Miles Postema
Rockford has in all likelihood already secured a berth in the Michigan High School Athletic Association Division 1 playoffs. But they will erase all doubt should they win at least one of their final two regular season games. The good news is that both of their final two games will be played in the friendly confines of Carlson-Munger Stadium in Rockford. First up for the Rams is a game against the Fighting Scots of Caledonia on Friday, October 17 at 7:00 P.M. The two squads are relatively new to playing each other as they have met only 12 times over the last several years. Rockford holds a 10-2 edge in the series and won last year’s contest 34-14.
The Rams record stands at 5-2 on the season and 4-1 in OK Red play. They are playing for playoff points and the right to host at least one game in the postseason depending on how things shake out with common opponents and others fighting for positioning. Caledonia sits at 3-4 overall and 1-4 in conference play. They opened the year topping Windsor, Ontario Holy Names and Muskegon Reeths Puffer. They have since fallen to Hudsonville, Grandville, East Kentwood and West Ottawa while beating Grand Haven. Last week’s loss to West Ottawa was a tight, closely contested game that saw the Panthers emerge with a 33-30 victory. That loss hurt Caledonia’s chances of making the playoffs, but should they triumph in their last two games that hope becomes much more manageable.
Caledonia features a prolific passing attack headlined by junior quarterback Bryce Backus. Backus has already attained several Division 1 offers and has an extremely strong throwing arm. His main two weapons are fellow juniors Aaron Collins and Lincoln Senti. Collins mainly lines up as a wide receiver while Senti can line up anywhere from tight end to wide receiver. Both of the receivers have also generated considerable interest on the recruiting trail. Another strength is along the offensive line where Liam Moore and Kylen Spencer return as offensive tackles. Cody Meyers also returns at guard for the Fighting Scots.
Defensively the numbers are a little lighter on returning starters with Carter Berends returning as a defensive back, Brien Martin as a defensive tackle and Colton Sheely at linebacker. The good news on that side of the ball was the hiring of long-time defensive coordinator Whitney Bell as the new head coach. Bell has coached at Caledonia for ten years as an assistant and took over for Derek Pennington after Pennington resigned to take another job in Ohio.
