MUSKEGON TWP. — Reeths-Puffer head coach Cody Kater challenged his team to start fast on Friday night.
The Rockets could hardly have started any faster.
Reeths-Puffer scored touchdowns on its first three possessions, built a 28-point halftime lead and cruised to a 35-6 homecoming victory over Grand Rapids Union at a packed Rocket Stadium.
The win improved the Rockets to 3-3 after back-to-back losses against Muskegon and Mona Shores. It also gave R-P more victories than it recorded in either of the previous two seasons.
R-P's Dre Sanders (3) follows a blocker. Photo/Nick Fuller
“We challenged our kids to a fast start because, as of late, we’ve had a tough time on offense getting going,” Kater said. “It was nice to be able to come out here and execute.”
The Rockets’ defense set the tone immediately. Union attempted a fake punt on its opening possession, but Garrison Niklasch stopped the play, giving R-P the ball at the Union 18-yard line.
One play later, R-P running back Dre Sanders burst up the middle for an 18-yard touchdown with 9:25 remaining in the first quarter.
Similarly, R-P needed only one play on its next possession. Quarterback Braylon Swain connected with Jamichael Williams on a 48-yard touchdown pass, giving the Rockets a 14-0 advantage with 6:43 remaining.
Sanders added his second touchdown on a 3-yard run as time expired in the first quarter, putting R-P ahead 21-0. The Rockets accumulated 122 yards on just 10 offensive plays in the opening quarter.
Garrison Niklasch (8) and Ty Ross (20) make a stop. Photo/Nick Fuller
The defense created another opportunity in the second quarter when TJ Henderson intercepted a Union pass, giving the R-P offense possession at the Union 41-yard line.
Swain took advantage, completing four consecutive passes on the ensuing drive. He connected with Williams three times before finding Bobby Gamble for a 13-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 28-0 with 7:05 remaining in the half.
Union threatened to score before halftime, driving all the way to the R-P goal line. The Rockets refused to give up the shutout, however, stopping Union at the 1-yard line as time expired to preserve a 28-0 halftime lead.
The Rockets added their final touchdown on the opening possession of the second half. Swain capped the drive with a 28-yard touchdown pass to Jared Stenberg on a hitch-and-go route, extending the lead to 35-0 with 7:37 remaining in the third quarter.
Bobby Gamble finds running room. Photo/Nick Fuller
Union eventually broke the shutout with a 14-yard touchdown run with 6:33 remaining in the fourth quarter, but the outcome had long been decided. R-P responded by keeping possession for the remainder of the game and finishing off the 35-6 victory.
For Kater, the win was a positive response after the Rockets struggled with mistakes in consecutive losses. Following last week’s 42-13 loss to Mona Shores, Kater said R-P needed to “find a way to rally” and change its approach if it wanted to extend its season.
Friday was a step in that direction.
“It was nice to be able to do that today, but at the same time, we would like to continue to build off this,” Kater said.
Swain finished 12-of-13 passing for 170 yards and three touchdowns. Sanders led the rushing attack with 69 yards and two touchdowns on eight carries, while Londyn Howland added 43 yards on seven carries.
TJ Henderson (12) celebrates his interception. Photo/Nick Fuller
Williams had 76 receiving yards and a touchdown on four catches, while Stenberg caught four passes for 69 yards and a score. Gamble also caught a touchdown.
The Rockets finished with 290 yards of total offense, including 170 through the air and 120 on the ground, and committed no turnovers.
The Rockets now turn their attention to a road matchup against Forest Hills Northern on Friday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m., with their postseason hopes still in play.
“We know the implications of the next few games,” Kater said. “We’ve got to be on the hunt to be able to extend our season.”
