MUSKEGON TWP. – The Reeths-Puffer football team came into the new season expecting to be better than last year’s 2-7 squad, mostly because a lot of the key players returned, a year stronger and wiser.
On Thursday, their growth was on full display as the Rockets ran through and around Greenville in a 56-7 season-opening victory in front of a happy crowd at Rocket Stadium.
The win was the first for R-P since Sept. 26 of last year, when the Rockets defeated Grand Rapids Union in Week 5 of the season.
“We worked hard for it,” said R-P head coach Cody Kater, whose team was outscored 180-63 over the final four weeks last season. “I’ve been on the other end, and even recently on the other end of it.
R-P’s Jamichael Williams. Photo/Joe Lane
“But to be able to have a night like this, where it just all comes together, it just points us in the right direction.”
The biggest growth the Rockets showed on Thursday was along the offensive and defensive lines. It was evident in the final stats – R-P put up 500 yards in total offense while allowing just 145 yards.
“They executed the game plan,” Kater said about the dominant line play. “I feel like we’ve put a lot of time into them, in the way we’ve been structuring practice. They like being linemen and they’re a little dirty with it. They’re gritty dudes who really just enjoy that part of the game.”
The line showcased its strength immediately on Thursday, pushing the Rockets to an opening 11-play, 68-yard drive that was capped off by a one-yard touchdown run by senior running back Ke’Ondre Sanders, a transfer student who is new to the team.
Logan Sharpe (54), Lyric Stewart (10), James Helferich (72). Photo/Joe Lane
The PAT kick gave R-P a 7-0 lead.
After forcing a turnover on downs, Reeths-Puffer was on the march again, going 50 yards over six plays to take a 14-0 lead with 48 seconds left in the first quarter.
R-P quarterback Braylon Swain found Jamichael Williams with a toe-touching corner touchdown pass of 20 yards to cap off the drive.
After forcing a three-and-out, the Rockets scored on their first possession of the second quarter when Swain connected with Sanders on a screen pass.
Connor McManus breaks a tackle. Photo/Joe Lane
Sanders ran behind excellent blocking and broke loose for a 56-yard touchdown, making the score 21-0 with 10:42 left in the second quarter.
Greenville responded with the help of some Reeths-Puffer penalties to make the score 21-7 with 7:19 left in the quarter.
The Rockets got one more score before halftime when Swain found a wide-open Connor McManus for a 55-yard touchdown pass.
Greenville threatened late in the second quarter, but its drive was halted by an interception by McManus at the R-P 13 with 22 seconds left on the clock.
Ke’ondre Sanders celebrates a touchdown. Photo/Joe Lane
McManus intercepted a pass on the second play of the third quarter to give the Rockets excellent field position at the Greenville 34.
Just two plays later, Sanders broke loose on a 10-yard scoring run, putting the Rockets up 35-7.
On the next play from scrimmage, R-P’s Garrison Niklasch intercepted a Greenville pass and returned it 27 yards for a score, extending the lead to 42-7.
The final TD of the third quarter came with 2:32 remaining when Niklasch punched in a one-yard run, making the score 49-7.
R-P’s Kam Hazelwood (42). Photo/Joe Lane
The last score of the night came with 9:53 left in the game when Swain found Jaxon Lee for a 10-yard touchdown pass, extending the lead to 56-7.
Sanders led the rushing attack 81 yards on nine carries with two touchdowns, while adding 79 yards and another TD on two catches.
“I feel good,” Sanders said about his first game as a Rocket. “But if I’m being honest, I had a lot of nerves tonight. I had a lot of butterflies and I was throwing up before the game. But I went in and after the first play, it was on.”
Swain finished 16-of-23 passing for 315 yards and four touchdowns while McManus snagged seven catches for 153 yards and two touchdowns, while also intercepting two passes.
The Rockets will try to keep their strong start going when they host Grand Haven next Thursday.
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