LAKETON TOWNSHIP - The players and coaches from the Reeths-Puffer football team already knew they had made the playoffs after Friday’s victory over Lansing Everett.
They also had a pretty good idea who their first-round opponent would be.
But qualifying for the postseason for the first time since 2013 was still something to celebrate, so the players, coaches, families and supporters gathered at Hobo’s Tavern on Whitehall Road on Sunday evening to watch the MHSAA playoff selection show.
There was a big roar in the crowded restaurant when the pairing came up on the TV screen, announcing that the Rockets will be playing undefeated Forest Hills Central on the road this weekend in the first round of Division 2 districts, with the winner meeting the survivor of the Mona Shores-Traverse City Central semifinal.
R-P players munch on pizza and watch the TV to see who they will be playing.
A few fans even sang in impromptu rendition of the Reeths-Puffer fight song.
Junior linebacker Caiden Bolduc, the area’s leading tackler, said it was a cool experience to see his team listed on the TV screen as a playoff squad.
“It’s a brand-new experience," Bolduc said. "We’ve broken new ground. It’s nice to see.”
The Rockets validated their ticket to the playoffs with a 35-0 victory over Lansing Eastern on Friday in the regular season finale.
They finished the regular season with a 6-3 record, which was a huge improvement from last year, when they went 3-6, and 2000, when they only won two games.
While playoff football will be a new experience for all the players, big challenges are not. R-P played tough this year against three playoff teams in their conference, and while they lost all three games, they learned they can be competitive with any opponent.
R-P linebacker Caiden Bolduc, the area's leading tackler.
The Rockets lost to Muskegon 29-20, Zeeland West 30-12 and Mona Shores 15-0.
“The hard doesn’t get any easier,” said R-P head coach Cody Kater, whose team heads into the postseason with a 6-3 record. “It just keeps getting harder. But it's great just having the opportunity to get into the playoffs and compete against great programs.
“We understand, being in an O-K conference, that we have the opportunity to play really good squads that will prepare you for the playoffs. It’s all about Puffer pride from here on out.”
Bolduc said the challenge of playing Forest Hills Central is exciting.
“They’ve got a lot of weapons and they’re a good, disciplined team,” Bolduc said. “They are 9-0 for a reason.
“It’s going to be real fun to be there, and we’re going to play ball.”