By Randy Gregory, Michigan Sports Radio
Photo by Miles Postema
The 2024 version of Rockford football will look to continue an amazing streak that has seen them win 32 consecutive regular season games since October of 2019. The one variable facing the team as it looks to roll on is the opening opponent on the schedule. The Rams traded playing Muskegon Mona Shores for a contest against one of the absolute stalwart teams in the state in Detroit Cass Tech. The Technicians annually boast a roster that features multiple Division 1 recruits and this year is no exception. Rockford will follow that game up with contests against defending state champion Muskegon and always tough Grandville. Nobody in the state will face a gauntlet like that to kick off the 2024 season.
For their part, the Rams feature five returning starters on defense and four on offense. They also will welcome back multiple players from their roster of 104 who saw considerable playing time last year. The back seven on the defense and the offensive line should be the strengths of the team coming out of the gate.
“We feel that defensively we should be pretty solid,” said Rockford Head Coach Brent Cummings. “We just need to focus on doing our jobs individually and play hard like all Rockford teams do. Our depth will also be a strength as we can roll out a nine-deep lineup on the defensive line.”
Leading the Ram defense will be returning three-year starters Isaac Poot at safety and Kade Friesen at outside linebacker. Other returning starters include junior standout linebacker and another excellent football player in junior safety Luke Ahern. They will be joined by another returning linebacker in Andrew Hambleton. The front three include Corbin Starkey, Braylon Ray and Thatcher Ray. A new pair of cornerbacks will begin with Riley Wells and PJ LeBlanc. Reed Binney and sophomore Ryan Kerry will also see extensive action at linebacker.
Offensively the Rams will roll out a big, experienced crew on the offensive line led by seniors Nolan Miller and Dawson LaPlante at tackle and guard respectively. They are joined as returning starters by slot receiver Mikey DeKuiper and tight end Blake Linsley. Zane Panchula is making the switch to offensive tackle from the defensive line and will pair with Miller to give the Rams a 290-pound plus tandem bookends. 6-foot eight-inch Gage Maxson will man the other guard spot and junior Aaron Papes will start at center. Junior Braylon Daniels will take the snaps at quarterback for the Rams after seeing a fair amount of time in relief due to injuries as a sophomore last season. Madden Warner will be the starter at running back and 6-foot 7-inch Lucas Pitsch, Gavin Currie and Jax Eichbauer will all see the field often as receivers. Poot will also see time as a running back offensively for the Rams.
“Daniels is solid both running and throwing the ball,” said Cummings. “The offensive line is getting better every day and our receivers run great routes. We pride ourselves on being competitive and energetic every time we take the field and we think this team will continue that tradition. We know we are facing a very tough schedule coming out of the chute but we are confident that we can compete at this level every game.”
The opening three contests for Rockford will all be at home so that should portend something of an advantage for the Rams. The Cass Tech contest is slated for Thursday , August 29 at 7:00 P.M. before the schedule returns to the regular Friday slot for the remainder of the season.
