Rockford’s seven runners who finished under 20 minutes at the Portage Invitational are (l–r) Allison Hazy, Catie Rietsema, Taylor Manett, Kelcie Severson, Jane Hawks, Sam Anderson and Anna Bos. They are pictured with Coach Ben Watson (far right).

“We had a really good day. To place so well in such a strong field of teams means that we can certainly compete with the best in the state,” stated Coach Ben Watson.

The Rams were successful in defeating number one Saline and number two Grand Haven for the first time this season, but fell to fourth-ranked Traverse City Central, which they have beaten twice earlier this season.

“These results show that there are a number of teams that can win the state championship. We need to continually improve over the next month and stay healthy, and we should be in the mix come November 1 [state finals],” said Coach Watson.

Sophomore Catie Rietsema led the way for the Lady Rams - who had 28 out of their 30 runners record season personal records - with a personal best of 18:48 on her way to an 11th-place finish.

The Lady Rams packed in their next four finishers within a 22-second span. Freshman Sam Anderson finished in 17th place in 19:05, sophomore Anna Bos in 19th with a time of 19:08, senior Kelcie Severson in 22nd in 19:12, and freshman Jane Hawks in 27th with a time of 19:27.

“The girls ran great today. To have a gap of only 39 seconds from first to fifth speaks to our team depth and strength,” said Coach Watson.

Freshman Taylor Manett and sophomore Allison Hazy finished with times of 19:53 and 19:59 to make Rockford the only team that had seven runners finish under 20 minutes.

Final team scores were Traverse City Central 90, Rockford 98, Saline 109, Grand Haven 133, East Kentwood 136, and Grandville 157.

The Rams will be wrapping up their conference dual meet season this week and will then focus on their championship season. The Rams have their conference championship on October 18 at West Ottawa, the regional championship on October 25 at Sparta, and the state championship on November 1 at Michigan International Speedway in Brooklyn, Mich.

Andrew Huizen (#10) defends. Photo by GORDON PETERSON Nate Baldwin (#5) is ready to shoot. Photo by GORDON PETERSON Guy Gordon (black cap) defends. Photo by GORDON PETERSON Jeff Schmitt (#9) scores a goal. Photo by GORDON PETERSON Nate McLean defends goal. Photo by GORDON PETERSON Andrew Sakala (#15) moves to shoot. Photo by GORDON PETERSON Tyler Manikowski (#6) defends. Photo by GORDON PETERSON Tyler Augustine (#20) socres on a counter attack. Photo by GORDON PETERSON Connor Thelen (#12) defends. Photo by GORDON PETERSON Derik Bothma (#7) and Tyler Manikowski (#6) defend with goalie Nate McLean ready. Photo by GORDON PETERSON

“This is a tremendous achievement. We were not predicted to repeat as champions this year, but these young men have played smart and tough through all the challenges,” said Rockford coach Dave McWatters.

Rockford achieved another amazing feat this past weekend: by winning its home tournament, the current group of seniors can lay claim to never having lost a game in their home pool.

On Friday night, October 3, Rockford opened against conference rival Hudsonville, struggling to a 4-2 halftime score, but then pulling away in the second half en route to a solid 11-3 win. Rockford showed great balance in this game, with eight players scoring and eight making steals, with senior Andrew Sakala achieving quite a feat with six steals in a single game.

Next the Rams cruised to a 13-2 win over district foe Portage. Senior captain Andrew Huizen led the scoring with three goals. Senior Nate Baldwin and junior Kyle Peterson led the assist category with three each, and junior Connor Thelen led the defensive effort, making three steals.

Saturday morning, October 4, Rockford met Birmingham Groves in the semifinals. Rockford struggled to a 5-4 third-period score, but then blanked Groves 6-0 in the fourth quarter for an 11-4 final. Senior captain and goalie Nate McLean made five key saves while senior Jordan Sikkema led the offensive effort with four assists.

That win moved Rockford into the finals against perennial foe Ann Arbor Pioneer, and the championship game proved to be another great game in a great series between the two teams. The defenses set the tone and the score was tied 0-0 at the end of the first, 1-1 at half.

Pioneer led 3-2 at the end of the third, but the Rams would not give up. Senior captain Tyler Augustine scored his third penalty shot goal to tie the game with 5:31 left, and then junior Derik Bothma slipped a shot past the Pioneer goalie at the 1:22 mark. Rockford was able to hang on for the 4-3 win.

Rockford’s substitutes played a key role in the victory, such as senior Guy Gordon making two crucial steals in the second half.

“We go through many challenges, and the question is one of resilience. How do you make it through the tough times? Nothing has been easy for us, but the whole Rockford community should be proud of what these young men have accomplished so far,” said Coach McWatters.

Rockford travels to the Jenison Invitational October 10-11, and then competes in the district championship October 17-18.

Kelsey Vermeer breaks a record. Photo by LINDA BROWN

Coach Parks said the results were phenomenal, commenting, “We had best times from more girls.”

Jamie Van Portfliet got two state cuts, Jessica Cutler got her state cut in the 500, and several girls achieved their varsity letters. Although East Kentwood (EK) had some sick swimmers, Grandville came to Rockford Natatorium with a boatload of state-ranked swimmers and divers.

The Rams took the first relay (Jessica Cutler, Erica Cutler, Kelsey Vermeer, Lauren Girard) in 1:54.90. Third place went to Taylor Downs, Rachael Romain, Casey Wolfer and Rachel Marshall. Then Mary Keeley won the 200 free in 1:58.72, but Grandville’s Marissa Orr took the 200 IM, beating Jessica Cutler (2:17.32) by less than one second.

In a heavyweight battle of area super seniors in the furious 50 free, Vermeer and Grandville’s Libby Westrate exploded down the tubes, side by side to the wall and back with Vermeer winning in a brand-new Rockford High School record time of 24.02 to 24.45 for Westrate. It was the second time Vermeer broke the 50 free mark in a week. Van Portfliet must have been caught up in the excitement or pulled into the wake, as she was third at 25.56.

Grandville’s divers took places first through third, just edging out Erica Finlayson, who was fourth at 182.40. However, in the next event, the 100 fly, Rockfords’ Erica Cutler (1:02.14), Sarah Smith (1:03.84), and Wolfer (1:05.78) went one-two-three. Then the Rams never looked back.

Westrate and Keeley drag-raced in the 100 free, with Keeley winning the first 50, but Westrate accelerated to win with a 54.11 to Keeley’s 54.24. Van Portfliet and Alaina Smith went 56.58 and 57.70 for third and fourth.

Coach Parks was beaming in the 500 free as Jessica Cutler, Lexy Caster, Molly Wooldridge and Holly Nauta took second, third, fourth and fifth, plus Areil Beattie and Kate Staley broke 5:50.00, earning their varsity letters in that event.

“I now have six girls under six minutes in the 500 free!” beamed Coach Parks.

The 200 free relay team (Girard, Van Portfliet, Keeley, Vermeer) won with a smoking 1:40.67, less than two seconds off the all-time RHS record of 1:38.41. Marshal, Smith, Caster and Smith went 1:47.11 for third.

Grandville’s Marissa Orr went 1:01 in the 100 back, but Wolfer (1:04.55), Kelly Snyder (1:06.08), and Morgan Longberg (1:06.91) went two-three-four. Erica Cutler won the 100 breast in 1:13.26, and Girard, Romain and Ashley Gremel took third, fourth and fifth.

The 400 free relay team of Van Portfliet, J. Cutler, Vermeer and Keeley won in 3:41.31. Marshal, Caster, Hutson, and Nauta were 0.08 out of third at 4:00.57. The final scores were Rockford 181.5 and Grandville 133.5.

The Rams travel to Hudsonville on Thursday, October 9, and then host Jenison on Senior Night, Thursday, October 16.

A Kentwood player puts his head to the ball on a corner kick, sending the ball toward the net. Brian Ayers (#3) jumps high, trying to clear the ball. Photo by BRET DOUD Nic Williams (#9) carries the ball upfield, followed closely by a Kentwood player. Jason Vrosh (#10) runs behind, ready to support his teammate. Photo by BRET DOUD Jacob Aman (#6) sends the ball past the goalie in a 6-0 shutout victory against West Catholic. Photo by BRET DOUD Cameron Allie and a West Catholic forward both leap for control of the ball off a corner kick. Photo by BRET DOUD

The game of the week was the match at Kentwood. The Rams kept their fans at the edge of their seats throughout the entire game.

The Falcons possessed the ball in Ram territory for the majority of the game. However, for as much as the Falcons had the ball in Ram territory, they had relatively few quality scoring chances. The Rams relied heavily on their defense and midfielders to keep the Falcons out of the goal. Ben Fredrickson, Ian Dayton, Jacob Aronoff and John Reglin did a superb job to help limit Kentwood to one goal the entire game.

When the Rams score a goal, it typically happens quickly. This game was no exception. About 11 minutes into the game, the Rams had the ball and moved it up the right sideline and passed into the box. Calvin Tasma was there to receive it and moved in closer to the goal. Tasma appeared ready to unload a shot but, due to heavy pressure from the Kentwood defense and goalie, he instead passed it across to the left side of the box to a wide open Brian Ayers. Ayers’ first touch on the ball sent it deep into the net for the game’s first goal.

Midway through the first half, Kentwood had the ball in the Rams’ box uncomfortably close to the goal. Nic Williams made a sliding block to stop an otherwise certain goal by Kentwood.

Reglin made several saves throughout the game. Perhaps his biggest save of the game came just seconds before the end of the first half. He stopped a hard line drive to keep Kentwood scoreless and retain the Rams’ one-goal lead at the half.

The second half played out very much like the first. Kentwood continued to possess the ball and attack at every opportunity. The Rams continued to rely on the midfielders and defenders to deny Kentwood scoring chances. The Rams’ solid defense stepped up when they needed to and protected their goal well. It was a very close, hard-fought physical game.

Kentwood’s persistence finally paid off for them about nine minutes into the second half. Kentwood moved the ball in the box and launched a hard shot toward the net. Reglin stretched out to grab the ball for a huge save. However, barely one minute after making that difficult save, Kentwood was on the attack again. The Falcons took a low shot from the left side toward the far side of the goal. Reglin laid out and made a dive for the ball, but missed it by only inches. Kentwood was on the board and the game was tied 1-1.

The second half continued with both teams trading a few near misses and great goalie saves. Eventually, the clock had wound down to less than one minute. By this time, most normal fans might think that such a close game would end in a tie. Well, a true Ram fan is anything but normal. The Ram fans were still hopeful and making their presence known.

Ayers had the ball deep in Ram territory and booted a very long pass that dropped beyond the Falcon defenders. Justin (Swizz) Wynn was already at full throttle and beat the three nearest defenders to the ball. Wynn quickly played the ball up the middle of the field ahead of the defense. The Falcon goalie recognized the situation and did the only thing he could, which was to rush out and challenge Wynn one-on-one. They met near the middle of the box. The goalie dove for the ball at about the same time that Wynn made a move to poke the ball to the left. The goalie got a piece of the ball, but it deflected further to the left side. With the goalie now on the ground, Wynn rushed back onto the ball and sent it to the empty net with only 42 seconds on the clock.

The game wasn’t over yet. Kentwood rushed the ball to midfield and kicked off with about a half minute remaining. Kentwood put forth a very intense effort to score. Although the clock seemed to be moving exceptionally slow, the Rams held them off for a huge conference win. With that win, the Rams finished their regular season undefeated in the OK Red conference.

The Rams beat West Catholic 6-0 in a rematch that played out similar to the game played earlier in the season. The early part of the game was dominated by the offense of both teams. Both teams had scoring opportunities, but neither was able to get the ball into the net. That is until Wynn and Jacob Aman teamed up for the game’s first goal midway into the first half.

Wynn carried the ball quickly up the right sideline and crossed the ball to Aman at the left side of the box. Aman maneuvered past a defender and sent a shot to the right side of the goal.

A few minutes later, Ayers booted a long shot from the left side of the field toward the far post. Wynn was there to put his head to the ball and got it past the goalie. That goal brought the halftime score to 2-0, Rams.

The second half was almost all Rams. Tasma played the ball up the middle of the field flanked by defenders. Under pressure by the defense, Tasma passed the ball to Wynn near the center of the box. Wynn fired off a quick shot to make the score 3-0.

Zack Forrester found himself on a near breakaway with two defenders close on his heels. He was able to get off a shot, but sent it just over the cross bar. Moments later, he made good on his next opportunity. It came while the Rams had the ball in West Catholic’s box. The ball was bouncing around loose. Forrester stepped up and made a left-footed shot to the lower right corner of the goal.

The Rams had a corner kick with about seven minutes remaining in the game. Jason Vrosh booted a perfect kick that dropped dead center in front of the goal. Fredrickson (who normally plays defense) put his head to the ball and buried it into the net.

Although the Rams dominated the ball throughout most of the game, West Catholic got on a breakaway with only four minutes left in the game. Elliot Vickers anticipated the shot and made a huge save to preserve the shutout. He then punted the ball upfield, where Williams carried it up and passed to Vrosh. Vrosh sent off a hard low shot from the right side. The goalie was able to get a piece of the ball with his foot, but the ball continued on into the net. Final score: 6-0, Rams.

The first round division tournament was played at home against Hudsonville in a drizzly rain. The wet conditions made for a slippery field and slippery ball.

The Rams took control of the game fairly early and never let up. Only six minutes into the game, Patrick Hartnett sent the ball into the net with a bicycle kick.

The second goal of the game came with six minutes remaining in the game. John Talbott played the ball up the middle of the field, and made a well-placed pass to put the ball right where Tasma needed it. Tasma wasted no time and fired the ball into the back of the net.

Although the final score was only 2-0 in favor of the Rams, the game did not seem that close. The Rams dominated the ball throughout most of the game. They took a lot of shots and had several scoring chances throughout the game, but had some difficulty finding the net.

The game played at Portage Central last Saturday was among the closest games the Rams have ever played. The style of play and the talent was very similar for both teams. The game was played primarily in the midfield with periodic breakaways toward the goals. Neither of the goalies had an exceptionally busy day. However, both goalies had to make several huge saves to keep the ball out of the net.

Portage came out strong in the first half, and appeared to have an advantage in ball control and scoring chances. In the second half, the advantage went to the Rams by a similar margin. However, neither team could finish by putting the ball in the goal. Both teams had great scoring chances and took hard shots to the net, but the goalies were able to make the saves. That is until the last few seconds of the game.

Portage was awarded a free kick from just outside the top of the box, which basically amounted to a penalty kick. They sent a hard shot to the top right corner. Reglin dove and nearly got there in time, but the ball went in with only 14 seconds left in the game. The Rams scrambled to get a kickoff, but the time expired before they were able to advance the ball.

It was a heartbreaking loss, in part because the Rams were so close to scoring on several occasions. However, the experience they gained from that hard-fought match should help them in the next game. It will be another tough one. The Rams faced Grand Haven on their turf again for the second round division tournament on Monday, October 6. Watch next week’s Squire for details. Additional information about the upcoming games and game photos can be found at rockfordramssoccer.com.

The second half was a continuation of physical play, with plenty of scoring chances for both teams. The Rams’ momentum built as the match went on, until they finally tied the game at 1-1 with a well-placed shot by Aaron Phelps midway into the second half. Constant pressure by the Rams versus a tiring Eagles squad was the theme through the final 20 minutes, first 15-minute overtime, then second 15-minute overtime.

The Rams and Eagles found themselves in a penalty kick shootout to decide the contest.

Continuing the theme of the night, the best-of-five shootout was deadlocked at three goals per team. In sudden-death penalty shots, Hudsonville scored on their first try. Then Kevin Lang of Rockford needed to score to avoid the loss, and buried his shot into the upper left corner. Rams keeper Shawn Lewis robbed the next Hudsonville shooter on a layout save. Then, for the win, Dean Wit put the last shot of the night away to secure a final 2-1 win for the Rams.

With the win, the Rams next faced Grand Haven in the OK Red semifinals Monday night, October 6, in Grand Haven. Watch next week’s Squire for details.

The Rams prepare for the Buccaneers. Photo by TONY ANDERSON Paul Mudgett prepares to kick. Photo by TONY ANDERSON Josh Osbun and CJ Scholl hit the Grand Haven quarterback. Photo by TONY ANDERSON The Ram defense is relentless all night long. Photo by TONY ANDERSON Kevin Badersnider makes a tackle. Photo by TONY ANDERSON Brogan Bibler sacks the Grand Haven quarterback. Photo by TONY ANDERSON Drew Maroe catches a touchdown pass from Tim McGee. Photo by TONY ANDERSON DJ Lubs trips the Buccaneers’ running back. Photo by TONY ANDERSON Rockford’s defense pounds the Grand Haven quarterback. Photo by TONY ANDERSON Ray Sabon sacks the Grand Haven quarterback. Photo by TONY ANDERSON Ryan Cochran scores his second touchdown. Photo by TONY ANDERSON The Ram offensive line plows ahead and Dan Barr scores. Photo by TONY ANDERSON Ian Oliver scores on a long run. Photo by TONY ANDERSON Coach Ralph Munger addresses the team after the game. Photo by TONY ANDERSON

The game started off with Paul Mudgett driving the opening kick into the end zone, forcing a touch back. Then, Rockford's defense, who were relentless all night, forced the Buccaneers to punt. Tim McGee hit Nick Stokes on a big pass play to get the Rams close, and then found Drew Maroe for a 23-yard pass and a Rockford touchdown, with Mudgett adding the point-after.

The Rams’ defense again flexed their muscle and forced another Grand Haven punt, which gave the Rams a short field. It ended with Ryan Cochran in the end zone for 6 points.

Grand Haven's third possession ended the same as the others: in a punt. The Rams offense went again to the air with Maroe catching a McGee pass - a 7-yarder for his second touchdown of the night.

The Ram defense proved too much for the Bucs to handle, forcing another punt. The Rams’ offense stumbled a bit and were forced into a Mudgett 24-yard field goal. The Ram defense continued its relentless pressure and forced yet another punt.

Rockford's next possession saw a combination of stiff defense by the Bucs and a couple mistakes by the Rams, who were forced to punt for the first time of the night. The Buccaneers hoped to feed off the mistake, but the Rams had other ideas, forcing another punt. Coach Munger had the right play called to go into the end zone, but offsetting penalties forced an untimed play in which quarterback McGee just took a knee. At halftime, the score was Rockford 24, Grand Haven 0.

The second half saw the Rams score on their second play from scrimmage - a 45-yard run from Aaron Kwekel. The Ram defense’s intensity continued in the second half, forcing a punt once again.

The Rams’ second possession of the second half saw Cochran in the end zone for his second touchdown. The Rams defense again hounded the Grand Haven offense, forcing a punt. Then the Rams’ kick returner fumbled the ball and Grand Haven recovered. Rockford’s defense tightened and, on a fourth-down play, came up strong and forced the ball over on downs.

The play calls went to all runs, trying to eat up the running clock, but the Rams proved too much and Dan Barr blasted into the end zone for the 1-yard score and Justin Ashy tacked on the extra point.

Grand Haven tried to end their scoring drought by going for it on fourth down, but the pass was across the line of scrimmage, resulting in a turnover on downs. Taylor Huizenga came in at quarterback, trying to kill the remaining four minutes, but running back Ian Oliver broke a 45-yard run for the Rams’ final points of the evening. On the point after, the Rams lined up and took a knee. The final score saw Rockford at 51 and Grand Haven at 0.

The Rams next travel to West Ottawa on Friday, October 10. The Panthers will be looking to win two of their last three games to be eligible for the playoffs.