Rockets have a blast

Rockets have a blast

Derek McCarty of Rapid River carries the ball in the first quarter of the Rockets' win over Brimley Friday. Mike Phillips of Brimley pursues. (Daily Press photo by Brandon Veale)

By John Vrancic
dailypress.net



RAPID RIVER — There was plenty of time for experimenting Friday night as the Rapid River Rockets rolled to a 48-6 football triumph over the Brimley Bays.

Ten players carried the ball for the Rockets, who rushed for 377 yards in this Mid-Eastern Conference outing. Derek McCarty carried six times for 117 yards and two touchdowns, including a 57-yard TD dash around right end midway through the second quarter.

“We tried a lot of different sets,” said Rockets’ coach Steve Ostrenga. “We wanted to get all of the kids in. The guys all practice hard. It’s important for them to get the game experience.”

The Rockets finished with 450 yards in total offense, including 4-of-6 passing by Alex Lindahl. The senior quarterback completed TD passes of 36 yards to Levi LaTulip and 13 to Dustin Lovell.

Lovell opened the scoring by sprinting 13 yards around left end on a counter play midway through the opening period. Junior Brent Forsythe added a one-yard TD run up the middle late in the third stanza and Justin Plimpton broke off guard for a 40-yard TD jaunt early in the fourth.

Brimley, with only three seniors and four juniors, averted the shutout on a QB sneak by sophomore Josh Graham with less than seven minutes to play.

“We have speed, but we’re just so young,” said Bays’ coach Brain Reattoir. “This is a major learning curve for us. We’re running a different offense this year and kids are playing in positions they’re not used to. We’re just trying to keep their heads in the game. We’re pleased with the effort. The kids haven’t given up at all.”

The Bays rushed for 79 yards with senior Ryan Freedman getting 66 in 14 carries. Freedman also hit 4-of-12 passes for 72 yards and two interceptions.

Rapid River senior tackle Dan Nedeau suffered a knee injury with three minutes left in the third frame. “I don’t know had bad it is yet,” said Ostrenga.

“I’m very impressed with Brimley. All their guys came over to our bench and shook his hand after the game. No. 35 (Freedman) is a nice ballplayer and they have a nice end.”

Rapid River (3-3 overall and league) hosts Oneida, Wis. Nation for homecoming Friday night. The Bays are 0-6 on both counts.

Brimley 0 0 0 6 — 6

Rapid River 15 20 7 6 — 48

First quarter

RR — Lovell, 13-yard run (Lovell kick), 6:28

RR — Lindahl, 36-yard pass to LaTulip (Lindahl to LaTulip pass), 2:33

Second quarter

RR — McCarty, 16-yard run (Lovell kick), 11:53

RR — McCarty, 57-yard run (kick failed), 6:17

RR — Lindahl, 13-yard pass to Lovell (Lovell kick), 2:27

Third quarter

RR — Forsythe, 1-yard run (Clark kick), 3:06

Fourth quarter

RR — Plimpton, 40-yard run (kick failed), 11:47

B — Graham, 1-yard run (run failed), 6:40

Statistics

Passing — Brimley, 72 yards (Freedman 4-12, Phillips 0-1); Rapid River, 73 yards (Lindahl 4-6).

Rushing — Brimley, 79 yards (Freedman 14-66); Rapid River, 377 yards (McCarty 6-117).

Total offense — Brimley 151 yards, Rapid River 450 yards.




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