MUSKEGON TWP. - It’s tough to go into your most challenging games of the season with some of your best players injured.
But that’s been the case for the Reeths-Puffer football team in recent weeks, and it will be again on Friday when the Rockets host undefeated rival Mona Shores in an O-K Green conference matchup.
The Rockets were already having injury problems in Week 6 against a very good Byron Center team, with starting quarterback Mason Darke out and running back Bryce Muskovin limited, but managed to make a game of it before falling 42-28.
The casualties caught up with them last week against Muskegon, however, when they suffered a 47-7 loss, easily their worst of the season.
“We were already banged up against Byron Center, then against Muskegon we lost three more guys,” said R-P head coach Cody Kater. 
Photo/Tyler Lirones
Lost for the season is speedy slot receiver/defensive back Marvin Moore. Several other key players, including Bryce Muskovin, senior linebacker/running back Sam Hillin and senior defensive back/wide receiver Ethan Muskovin, are listed as week-to-week.
Between the injuries and committing seven turnovers last Friday, there was no realistic hope of beating the Big Reds. It was the first time this season – and the first game in Kater’s three years at R-P – that an opponent has badly beaten the Rockets.
“It’s hard to hold back a team (like Muskegon) that continues to be hungry throughout the season,” Kater said. “We know they always get stronger as the season goes on. This was the first time in my career that a game has gotten out of hand. Just being down at halftime, and already having so many injuries, we just couldn’t overcome it.
“We also had seven turnovers. It’s not a great formula for beating a good team.”
After a game like that, it would be nice if the Rockets could face an easier opponent, but there’s nothing easy about Mona Shores.
Photo/Tyler Lirones
The Sailors have plowed through their schedule and go into Friday’s game with a 7-0 overall record and a 4-0 mark in the O-K Green.
They are one game ahead of Muskegon and Byron Center in the conference standings and would wrap up the O-K Green championship with a win over Reeths-Puffer.
After opening the season with a tight 28-26 win over Grand Blanc, the Sailors have beaten River Rouge (21-6), Hamady (49-12), Byron Center (14-12), Muskegon (42-27), Forest Hills Northern (33-7) and Grand Rapids Union (48-0).
The Rockets are working hard to regroup and avoid becoming Mona Shores’ next victim, a task made more difficult by the uncertainly of whether several players will be available.
Kater said that both quarterbacks – Darke and senior Sage Secrest – have some injury issues, but but will dress and play.
Photo/Tyler Lirones
The coach said the team is preparing with the knowledge that adversity is part of life, and giving up is never an option.
“I think the kids are adapting well,” Kater said. “We talk about adversity a lot in our program and how to face it. We understand that we may be shorthanded, but you have to face these situations. We’re doing our best to overcome it.”
Kater does not believe that his team is badly outclassed by any team in the conference, including Mona Shores. Despite the injuries, and the fact that a lot of underclassmen were already starting in key positions, he believes the Rockets can give the Sailors a serious challenge.
R-P was 0-3 against Mona Shores in Kater’s first two seasons, but all of the games were competitive. The Rockets lost 15-0 in 2022, 28-10 last year in the regular season and 29-20 in a playoff rematch.
“We do feel all the teams (in the O-K Green) are pretty similar this year,” Kater said. “Every team is in contention with each other. We will have to do a great job of limiting our mistakes to find a way to give them a run for their money.”
Photo/Tyler Lirones
A few weeks ago, before the injuries started piling up, the Rockets were holding out hope of finishing the season above .500 and qualifying for the state playoffs for the third year in a row.
Now at 2-5, R-P is playing for pride while it continues to develop the many key players who will be returning next season.
One big goal is doing everything possible to allow the outgoing seniors to taste more success before they are done, Kater said.
The Rockets will close out the season a week from Friday by visiting Forest Hills Eastern, which is currently 5-2. It will be R-P’s third road trip this year to play a Forest Hills team, following earlier games at FH Central and FH Northern.
“At the end of the day it’s really about the seniors,” Kater said. “It’s a special time. We need to cherish this time with these guys. As much as we love our underclassmen, we’re going to get more time with those guys. We have to make sure the seniors have the best experience they can possibly get.”