PLAINFIELD TWP. — A week after seeing a possible victory get away against Grand Haven, the Reeths-Puffer football team refused to let the same thing happen on Friday night.
The Rockets, using some key defensive plays and a big night from standout running back Ke'Ondre Sanders, scored a 28-21 victory on the road against Grand Rapids Northview in non-conference action.
Northview tied the score 21-21 with just over six minutes left in the game, then the Rockets embarked on the game-winning drive.
Sanders sparked the final effort with an electrifying 33-yard run that flipped the Rockets from their own 36-yard-line to the Northview 31. He then scored the winning touchdown with a 4-yard run with 1:43 left on the clock.
R-P's Ke'Ondre Sanders breaks loose. Photo/Nick Fuller
Sanders totaled 164 rushing yards and two touchdowns,
“You just gotta stay calm and keep your head in the game,” Sanders said of his mindset on the final drive. “The longer you keep focus and keep going behind your blockers, you’ll go a long way.
“It was a big game for us tonight, it was a big win.”
While the Rockets still have areas to improve on, the team stayed tough and made the big plays when it mattered to secure the win. 
R-P's Kam Woods stiff-arms a defender. Photo/Nick Fuller
Garrison Niklasch intercepted a pass and returned it to the Northview 8-yard-line with 12 seconds left in the first half, setting up an important R-P touchdown. Then, after Sanders’ go-ahead score, Ty Ross intercepted a pass on the next Wildcat play, allowing R-P to run out the clock.
“We continued to stay in the fight and do the next right thing,” said R-P head coach Cody Kater. “We had guys make plays. It was nice to see those guys execute in those big moments.”
Despite the win, Kater knows the Rockets have some mental things to clean up going into conference play - starting next week on the road against Muskegon - ranging from penalties to turnovers.
R-P's Travis Henderson dives to make a tackle. Photo/Nick Fuller
“We continue to shoot ourselves in the foot,” the coach said. “We’ve got to find a way to get better with the football intelligence. I’m hoping that through these moments, we’re going to.”
Reeths-Puffer scored on the game’s opening possession on a 15-yard touchdown run by Sanders. Northview pulled even with 3:39 left in the second quarter on a 4-yard run by Beau Peterson.
R-P quarterback Braylon Swain was intercepted deep in Northview territory on the next Rocket drive, but Niklasch’s pick gave R-P the ball back with a chance to score.
R-P quarterback Braylon Swain drops back to throw. Photo/Nick Fuller
Swain found Connor McManus for an 8-yard TD pass on the next play, putting R-P up 14-7 at halftime.
Northview evened the score with 6:16 to play in the third quarter on a 30-yard pass from Peterson to Judah Britton, on the first play after a Rocket fumble.
R-P responded with a nine-play scoring drive, capped by a 5-yard TD pass from Swain to Brendan Guikema.
Northview tied the score at 21-21 with 6:12 left in the game on a 10-yard run by Peterson.
Garrison Niklasch (8) after his interception. Photo/Nick Fuller
R-P answered with its victory-sealing 75-yard drive, capped by Sanders’ 4-yard TD run.
On top of his big rushing night, Sanders also had three receptions for 22 yards. Niklasch added six rushes for 37 yards.
Swain was 14-of-20 passing for 108 yards and two scores. McManus had five catches for 35 yards and a TD.
Defensively, Paul Smith and Lyric Stewart both had a sack, while Niklasch and Ross had interceptions. Evan McHugh made all four of his extra point attempts.
