By Greg Chrapek
Wyoming-Kentwood News Today Contributor
greer@wktv.org
The Rockford Rams have been a pain in the side for the East Kentwood football team for the past several years.
That pain was eradicated last Friday in a big way as the host Falcons dispatched the visiting Rams 31-10. The win improved East Kentwood’s record to 6-0 for the season and sets up a showdown for first place in the OK Red this Friday when the Falcons travel to Caledonia for a battle of unbeaten teams in conference play.
The win against Rockford was the first since the 2019 season when the Falcons defeated Rockford 38-12 in the first round of the playoffs after falling to them the previous week. Since then, the Rams have had East Kentwood’s number. That is until Friday when the Falcons combined a strong defensive effort with some timely offense to earn the win and break the skid against the Rams.
East Kentwood scored points in each quarter against the Rams while the Falcon defense allowed just a single touchdown in the second quarter and a field goal in the third.
“I think anytime you can get a win in the OK Red it is awesome,” said East Kentwood Coach Tyrone Spencer, “especially against Rockford. This was a great team win for our program and we will build off it as we continue to press toward our standard of excellence every day.”
Falcons strike first with big run
East Kentwood struck the first big blow of the game midway through the first quarter, when Falcon senior wide receiver Stephan Jones took a handoff on a jet sweep and broke free for a 72-yard touchdown run. Jayden Garcia tacked on the point after giving the Falcons an early 7-0 lead.
The two teams traded touchdowns in the second quarter with East Kentwood taking a 14-7 lead late in the first half.
Just before halftime the Falcon big-play offense struck again, with Jones providing the big play fireworks again. This time it was through the air as Falcon quarterback Colin O’Connor found an open Jones in the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown pass with nine seconds remaining in the first half. Garcia added the extra points giving the Falcons a 21-7 halftime lead.
Rockford cut the Kentwood lead to 21-10 early in the second half when they drove downfield and kicked a field goal.
East Kentwood matched that field goal when it went on a long drive at the end of the third quarter and paid it off with a 46-yard field goal from Garcia in the early moments of the fourth.
The Falcons closed out the scoring with a touchdown in the final minute of the game.
“I thought our defense played well and made key stops when they needed to,” Spencer said. “Offensively, we were able to make explosive plays and that was the difference in the game.”
O’Connor went 13-for-24 passing with 197 yards and one touchdown.
Jones was the main target in the passing game as he hauled in seven passes for 75 yards and a score. Austin Nelson caught one pass for 38 yards, while Donovan Rubens caught one for 38 and Dallas Moody, one for 21 yards.
O’Connor also led the Falcons in rushing with 78 yards on 16 carries, including one touchdown run. Jones finished with 87 yards on three carries with a score. Ace Bryant added 24 yards on eight carries, while Moody was eight for 17 yards and a touchdown.
Donavan Jones led with seven tackles, five assists and three tackles for loss
Donavan Jones led the falcons with seven tackles, five assists and three tackles for loss, followed by Alijah Bondon, three tackles, three assists, two sacks and two tackles for loss; Ja’Kari Lovelady, three tackles and two assists; Chris Thompson, three tackles, three assists, one sack and one tackle for loss; Austin Nelson, two tackles, an assist and interception and D’Mari Love-Simmons, two tackles, one assist, one sack and two tackles for loss.
East Kentwood puts its 6-0 record on the line Friday at Caledonia to face the Fighting Scots, who are 4-0 in conference play with a 5-1 overall record. The one loss, however, was applied to the Scots following their opening-night win against Portage Northern that they won 48-12 when it was determined that Caledonia had used an ineligible player and was given a forfeit loss.
