By Randy Gregory, Michigan Sports Radio
Photo courtesty of Miles Postema
Rockford snapped out of a mini-slump with a convincing 34-14 road triumph over a 4-1 Caledonia team last week to run their record to 4-2 on the season. The Rams are looking to extend their state record of 29 consecutive appearances to an incredible 30-year run. This time around Rockford will meet up with West Ottawa and the Panthers will enter the fray with a record of 1-5 and recorded their first win last week with a 24-21 overtime victory over Jenison. Jenison was fresh off their stunning win over Rockford the previous week but the Panthers scored 21 first quarter points against the Wildcats before not denting the scoring column again until the OT on a 21-yard field goal to earn a tough victory.
The Panthers are coached by three-time state champion coach Pat Collins, who is in his fourth season as the head man for West Ottawa. Collins earned all three titles at Montague and had his best season at West Ottawa in 2023 as he led them to the playoffs for the first time. Hopes were very high coming into the 2024 campaign as they returned a multitude of talent from last year’s successful team. But a tough schedule combined with a tendency to surrender points saw them get off to an 0-5 start. The Panthers have been competitive in every game but have struggled to finish. The losses included a 36-33 defeat to Grand Ledge, 42-22 to an undefeated Zeeland West team and 42-27 to Caledonia.
West Ottawa is led offensively by fourth-year starting running back Brayden Forbes. Forbes has given Rockford fits with his bruising running style over the previous three years and will certainly present a challenge this year as well. They were anticipating being led by returning quarterback Connor Knapp but those duties have fallen to Makai Campos who was a stalwart 15 of 19 last week. Ruben Esparza, Dylan Vruggink and Caleb Montgomery are other returning starters in the skill positions for WO. Brady Grasmanis is a steady hand at offensive guard as well. Elijah Reynolds, Tai Hescott and CJ Traylor lead the defense.
The Panthers are averaging 21 points per game and surrendering 31. On the other side, Rockford is putting up 28 points and allowing 20 per contest. The two teams have met 59 times over the years with Rockford holding a 46-12-1 advantage. The teams squared off twice last year with Rockford winning both. The Rams won the regular season contest 39-12 before routing the Panthers 48-6 in the first round of the playoffs. The last West Ottawa win came by the score of 45-40 in 2018.
Kickoff is slated for 7:00 P.M. in the Panthers dazzling new stadium on Friday, October 11.
