ADA – Reeths-Puffer’s football season ended on Friday with a 35-28 road loss to Forest Hills Eastern in a non-conference clash.
On one hand, it was another loss in a season with more than the Rockets were counting on.
On the other, it was a much improved performance by the Rockets, following the back-to-back poundings they took in the previous two games from Muskegon and Mona Shores.
The tough part is that R-P might have ended the season with a victory if it hadn’t been for two costly red zone turnovers.
The loss was extra hard on the departing R-P seniors, particularly Sage Secrest, who rushed for 199 yards in the game, including two touchdowns.
R-P's Sage Secrest scores a touchdown. Photo/Tyler Lirones
The Rockets finished the season with a 2-7 record.
“It was the same way we lost every other game this year - just too many mistakes in the red zone and not enough stops,” said R-P head coach Cody Kater. “Hopefully it’s something we can grow from and find ways to improve.”
Forest Hills Eastern scored a touchdown on the opening possession of the game when Max Ferrick punched in a one-yard run, then Reeths-Puffer drove the length of the field, but lost a fumble just short of the FHE goal line.
The Hawks returned the fumble 84 yards to set up possession at the R-P 15. Quarterback Brendan Thompson found the end zone just two plays later with a nine-yard run, making the score 14-0.
Thompson added a one-yard touchdown run on a fourth down play with 5:38 left in the second quarter, and suddenly the score was 21-0.
R-P's Elliot Schneider (28) snags a runner by the legs. Photo/Tyler Lirones
But R-P kept battling and refused to let the game get out of hand.
The Rockets got on the board with 1:52 left in the first half on a one-yard touchdown run by quarterback Mason Darke.
They followed that by forcing a turnover on downs, and got the ball back at the Hawks’ 42-yard line with 1:10 left on the clock.
They drove to the 17, attempted two passes into the end zone that fell incomplete, and trailed 21-6 at halftime.
Then Secrest really started making some noise, in the final two quarters of his varsity career.
R-P's Luke Johnson is forced out of bounds by an FHE defender. Photo/Tyler Lirones
He ran for 52 yards on the opening possession of the second half, and capped off the drive with a 10-yard touchdown run. The extra point made the score 21-13.
“We were able to lean on them (Secrest and the offensive line),” Kater said. “We had a lot of yards for only 28 points, but the offensive line really executed, and Sage ran really hard. They did a great job.”
Forest Hills Eastern wasted no time responding, scoring just four plays later when Ferrick found the end zone with a 16-yard run.
The score was 27-13 as the third quarter ended.
The Rockets drove to the Hawks’ 9-yard line early in the fourth quarter, but turned the ball over again, wasting a critical scoring opportunity.
Secrest tries to find his way around a defender. Photo/Tyler Lirones
Ferrick broke loose for a 49-yard touchdown run just two plays later, making the score 35-13 with 10:19 remaining.
On the ensuing Rocket possession, Darke found Luke Johnson for a 14-yard touchdown pass to make the score 35-21 with 6:48 left in the game.
After forcing another turnover on downs, Reeths-Puffer took over at its own 30 with 2:32 remaining on the clock.
Darke completed six passes on the next drive for 58 yards, and Secrest capped it off with a one-yard touchdown plunge to make the score 35-28 with 40 seconds left.
Reeths-Puffer attempted an onside kick but was unsuccessful, and the Hawks killed off the clock.
R-P's Nate Dollaway lifts Mason Darke after a touchdown. Photo/Tyler Lirones
Darke completed 21 of 31 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown.
Johnson caught seven passes for 62 yards, Conner McManus had six catches for 57 yards and Shaun Haley had seven for 54 yards.
The Rockets will now say goodbye to 18 seniors, and Kater said he’s thankful for their hard work and effort.
“We had a lot of learning moments together,” the coach said. “They gave me an opportunity to coach them and coach them hard. They’ve been a rock in our football community for the last three years. I’ll miss them and how much they brought to the program.”