Rockford Stampedes back to Stun Mona Shores 31-27
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8 minutes remained in the 4th, and Mona Shores had a commanding 27-9 lead. 4 minutes later, Rockford was leading 31-27. Let’s explore how it all happened. Clear Waters and Smooth 1st-Half Sailing From the opening kickoff, Mona Shores looked…
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Continue Reading8 minutes remained in the 4th, and Mona Shores had a commanding 27-9 lead. 4 minutes later, Rockford was leading 31-27.
Let’s explore how it all happened.
Clear Waters and Smooth 1st-Half Sailing
From the opening kickoff, Mona Shores looked like the better team. Both teams traded possessions a few times, but Mona Shores asserted their dominance at the line of scrimmage and ran a balanced rushing attack, winning time of possession, wearing out the defense, and getting the ball to their playmakers.
Brandon Bankard scored the Sailor’s 1st Touchdown
Dahmir Farnum Dahmir Farnum 5'9" | 190 lbs | RB Mona Shores | 2023 State MI with their 2nd
Then Brandon Bankard again to make it 20-0 Mona Shores
Throughout the entire 1st-half, Rockford looked flat, and Mona Shores looked confident and prepared. The Sailor offense was doing their jobs and doing it well. Despite a late TD from Brody Thompson Brody Thompson 6'1" | 195 lbs | WR Rockford | 2023 MI , Rockford went into the locker room embarrassed. There was absolutely no energy in the air.
A Physical 3rd-Quarter
Looking back at the 3rd Quarter, Mona Shores still commanded the game, while Rockford showed some signs of life.
With 5:28 to go in the 3rd, KeWaun Farnum KeWaun Farnum 5'9" | 170 lbs | ATH Mona Shores | 2023 State MI pushed the Sailor lead to 27-7.
Rockford then got the ball back and started driving down the field. The Rams were finally starting to heat up, and Mac VandenHout Mac VandenHout 5'11" | 190 lbs | QB Rockford | 2023 State MI looked solid. Then, from the Shores 20-yard line, VandenHout fired a pass that was then tipped and intercepted by Trent Rosenthal.
At this point, I didn’t have much hope for Rockford. It would have been easy for them to throw in the towel right here, but they didn’t.
Rockford then forced a safety, making it 27-9. Then, the Sailor offense stalled ocnce more, turning it over on downs.
A 4th-Quarter Stampede
(You must listen to Return of the Mack while reading this)
After forcing a Mona Shores punt, Rockford drove down the field and capped off the drive with a 21-yard Mac VandenHout Mac VandenHout 5'11" | 190 lbs | QB Rockford | 2023 State MI scramble. A successful 2-point conversion made it 27-17. It was at this point where I saw a little confidence and swagger from Mac and the offense. I could tell something was brewing.
Shores got the football back, and that’s when Rockford Senior Captian Rick Beison Rick Beison 6'1" | 215 lbs | LB Rockford | 2023 MI came up with a game-changing interception giving his offense the ball with incredible field position.
The very next play, this happens
Alex McLean Alex McLean 5'7" | 165 lbs | WR Rockford | 2023 State MI comes up clutch, smoking Jaylen Vinton Jaylen Vinton 6'0" | 180 lbs | WR Mona Shores | 2023 State MI in coverage while Mac VandenHout Mac VandenHout 5'11" | 190 lbs | QB Rockford | 2023 State MI delivers the TD strike. It was suddenly a 27-24 game with 6:12 remaining, and the Rockford sideline looked obsessively focused and locked in.
I had chills going down my spine as I recorded this video. The passion, leadership, and will to win from Mac and the entire Rockford team was incredible. As a surprise to nobody in the building, Rockford stuffed Mona Shores on their next possession, and the game-winning touchdown was IMMEDIATELY scored.
Carlson-Munger Stadium was ELECTRIC, and Mona Shores looked absolutely deflated.
Rockford then stopped Mona Shores one last time, took the ball over, and never gave it back.
Teams shook hands, and both went into their separate postgame huddles.
The Student Section then stormed the field, and a wonderous celebration commenced.