| 11/16/2009 4:24:00 PM | Email this article • Print this article | Rockford falls short in regional football showdown
Randy Gregory
Sports Writer
Rockford High School's 28 senior football players passed through a gauntlet of coaches and underclassmen at the conclusion of Saturday's regional finals, most with tears streaming down their faces.
The realization that their season and high school football careers had come to an end was sinking in.
With the 27-13 loss to Holt, the Rams ended the 2009 campaign with an 11-1 record.
"It is a great credit to our talented senior class to lead this team this far," said head coach Ralph Munger. "With so few returning starters it has been a great accomplishment. But today was Holt's day and not Rockford's."
As has been the case for the greater part of the season, Rockford again found itself in an early hole. Rockford had tremendous difficulty establishing anything offensively in the first half. Holt, however, enjoyed success.
Holt reached the endzone on its initial drive on a 9-yard touchdown run at the 5:34 mark of the opening quarter. Rockford seemed to have them stopped, but facing a fourth-and-10 at the RHS 36, Holt executed a fake punt that netted 16 yards. The extra point was wide right and Holt held a quick 6-0 edge.
Holt's second score came quickly after the initial one. On Rockford's second play from scrimmage, following Holt's score, a Holt player gathered an interception at mid-field. On the next play, Holt scored on a 50-yard pass at the 4:53 mark. The PAT was good and Holt quickly had a 13-0 lead.
Rockford got its only points of the first half on a 45-yard field goal from Paul Mudgett with 24 seconds to play in the second quarter. The half ended with a 13-3 lead for the visitors.
Both defenses again flexed their muscles in the third quarter. Rockford was able to mount its first real offensive thrust of the day as they went 77 yards on 15 plays before settling for a 36-yard field goal from Mudgett with 3:50 to play in the third quarter.
Holt responded by moving 80 yards in 13 plays to expand its lead to 20-6 with only 6:28 left to play.
The Rockford offense quickly marched 76 yards and tallied its first touchdown of the game on a 29-yard pass from Taylor Masiewicz to Zach Haugen. Mudgett's PAT made it 20-13 with 3:29 still to play in the contest.
With a shade under two minutes to play in the game, Holt made the decisive play of the game. Facing a fourth-and-one at its own 29, the coaching staff first sent out their punting team but then called a timeout. Holt then sent its offense back onto the field and their tailback slammed into the line and was downed. The chains were called for and it was found that the gamble paid off for Holt, they made theirfirst down. Holt added a score on the ensuing play to make the final 27-13.
With the win, Holt was able to avenge an earlier loss to the Rams and advance to the Division I semi-finals on Saturday.
"We knew what we had to do coming into the game," Munger said. "But offensively and defensively we didn't do it today. We have been living on the edge for quite a while now, but have to give credit to Holt.
|
Article Comment Submission Form
|
|
 |
|
