Hudsonville cruises past Rockford 37-15

By: Kyle Mills (@generalmills101)

Hudsonville QB and senior leader Mason Opple was not going to let his career end against hated arch-rival Rockford.

After losing to the Rams earlier this season on a heartbreaking failed 2-point conversion, Hudsonville did not even let the game get close to make this a possibility.

The Eagles were all over the field on both sides of the ball in the first half, dominating Rockford in every possible statistical category.

Opple, who finished the game with 205 yards on the ground, rushed for 2 touchdowns and threw for another one. The Davenport commit looked like the perfect blend of smooth and strength as he routinely made the right decision on the ground. He would wait until his blocks developed and then explode like a bowling ball headed down the lane through the hole.

After the Mason Opple show ended at halftime, the score was in Hudsonville's favor 23-0. Rockford looked like they did not have a chance at all.

Although Hudsonville scored a quick touchdown to start the half, Rockford mustered up some pride and responded.

Led by RB's Ethan LaCourt and Tyler Bradfield, the Rams scored two touchdowns in a row to get their student section hyped up.

LaCourt finished with 57 yards on 9 rushes while Bradfield rushed the ball 6 times for 65 yards and both scored touchdowns.

Hudsonville's defense had to step up in the 4th quarter to prevent this game from becoming a nail-biter. They stopped Rockford on 4th down on the Eagle 27-yard line with 9 minutes to go and then again on 4th down with 3:44 left thanks to Kaden Kempker's pass breakup on a trick play. Kempker also caught a 18-yard touchdown in the first half.

Eagle running back Kyle Toth was the man to seal the deal at the end of the game, breaking free on a 44 yard touchdown run, his second of the game. Toth finished the game with 139 yards on 14 carries and two touchdowns.

Hudsonville who was happy to just make the playoffs at 5-4, now has beaten two very good teams in West Ottawa and Rockford to earn the right to play East Kentwood this upcoming week.

You can contact me at: kyle.mills@cornerstone.edu