Rockford downs Mona Shores: Battering Ram steals show in Ralph Munger’s return

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Rockford head coach Ralph Munger congratulates senior running back Jaiden Friesen after he scored a touchdown Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Sailor Stadium in Norton Shores, Mich. Rockford defeated Mona Shores, 34-21. (Kayla Renie | MLive.com)

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NORTON SHORES, MI – The big storylines entering Friday night’s game at Sailor Stadium were the showdown between highly-ranked Rockford and Mona Shores and the return to the sideline for longtime Rams coach Ralph Munger.

Jaiden Friesen upstaged both of those things. He was the story.

Munger was probably fine with that.

Friesen, a 5-foot-11, 240-pound battering ram, scored all five of Rockford’s touchdowns and pounded his way to 211 rushing yards in the Rams’ 34-21 victory.

MUSKEGON-AREA SCORES: Get Friday's area scores and next week's schedule

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PHOTO GALLERY: Don't miss Kayla Renie's beautiful images from Friday's game

STATEWIDE SCORES: Get scores from across the state Friday

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Rockford senior running back Jaiden Friesen (8) runs the ball against the Mona Shores defense Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Sailor Stadium in Norton Shores, Mich. (Kayla Renie | MLive.com)

“It’s awesome. It really hasn’t sunk in yet,” Friesen said immediately after the game. “I was kind of just playing it one play at a time, but definitely really happy the way I played and the rest of the guys.”

Friesen scored on TD runs of 4, 51, 7, 1 and 38 yards. The 51-yard scoring run came with 2 seconds left in the second quarter and stole the momentum for Rockford, which went into the locker room tied with Mona Shores at 14.

The 38-yard TD run was on his 31st and final carry of the night, with 25 seconds remaining, to effectively put the game away.

Rockford, was ranked No. 3 in the Associated Press’ Division 1 poll this week, improves to 4-0 overall. Mona Shores, which was rated No. 1 in Division 2, is now 3-1.

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(MLive.com video by Scott DeCamp)

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Ralph Munger’s first game back on the sideline

The veteran coach, who is in his 28th season at the Rockford helm, made his return to the sideline Friday for the first time this season. Last month, he underwent quadruple-bypass surgery.

The 67-year-old Munger was restricted by doctors as far as his involvement in the Rams’ first three games this season. But at Mona Shores, he patrolled the sideline again.

Munger is still the “captain of the ship,” as longtime assistant coach Randy VanderVeen said after the game. But Munger deferred to his assistant coaches for a lot of calls during the game. After the game, he declined an interview request with assembled media and instead deflected attention to his assistant coaches and his players.

Watch the video above to see clips of Munger's return and to hear what VanderVeen and Friesen had to say about it.

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(MLive.com video by Scott DeCamp)

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Powerlifting pays off for Friesen

Earlier in the week, Mona Shores coach Matt Koziak said he remembered Rockford’s Jaiden Friesen from powerlifting meets.

Friesen’s strength, his patience as a runner and the ability to break free for big gains were all on display Friday against the Sailors.

“It’s definitely helped me, my drive, my endurance, my muscle endurance and just everything,” Friesen said about powerlifting. “I recommend it to everybody.”

Friesen said his max numbers for the core lifts are 605 pounds in the squat, 330 in bench and 600 for deadlift.

He said he’s hearing from some colleges and has gone on a couple unofficial visits, but that nothing is really set in stone.

“Going against a really good Mona Shores team, both 3-0 coming into this, we knew we had to score points. They have a really talented offense. Their defense has also shut all the teams they played down. And fortunately our O-line made some blocks and we had holes open and we scored touchdowns.”

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Rockford running back Jaiden Friesen (8) leans in to score a touchdown against Mona Shores Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Sailor Stadium in Norton Shores, Mich. (Kayla Renie | MLive.com)

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Turning Point

Leading 14-7 inside the final minute of the first half, Mona Shores rolled the dice on fourth-and-3 from Rockford 44. The Sailors’ running play got stuffed for lost yardage, and the Rams took over near midfield with 25 seconds remaining.

Two plays later, Friesen busted loose for a 51-yard touchdown run, crossing the goal line with 2 seconds left. Teagen Lenderink’s PAT was good, and the teams went to their respective locker rooms tied at 14 at halftime.

Mona Shores received the second-half kickoff, but the Sailors were forced to punt after a short possession. Rockford answered with a time-consuming, 15-play drive that covered 64 yards and consumed nearly nine minutes of the third quarter. The drive was capped by Friesen’s 7-yard TD run. The PAT was blocked, but the Rams led 20-14.

Mona Shores fumbled two plays later, and Rockford took over on the Sailors’ 20. The Rams missed a field goal, but the Sailors were flagged for running into the kicker, giving the visitors new life with first-and-goal from the 9.

Rockford and Friesen capitalized, scoring three plays later from 1 yard out. The ensuing PAT made it 27-14, and Mona Shores never fully recovered.

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Rockford players celebrate their 33-21 victory over Mona Shores Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Norton Shores, Mich. (Kayla Renie | MLive.com)

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Rockford gets its revenge

Mona Shores entered Friday’s game having won the last two against Rockford and three of four. Last season on the Rams’ home field, the Sailors ran away with a 33-14 victory.

Two years ago, Mona Shores pulled out a 30-24 overtime victory over Rockford on “Sailor Salute” night.

The Rams now lead the all-time series vs. the Sailors, 17-7.

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(MLive.com video by Scott DeCamp)

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See Mona Shores highlights and Matt Koziak reaction

Versatile junior Brady Rose scored on two touchdown runs and Tre Hatcher scored the other in Mona Shores’ loss Friday.

Watch the video above to see the scoring highlights and reaction from Sailors coach Matt Koziak.

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Rockford players watch from the sideline as the sun sets at Sailor Stadium Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, in Norton Shores, Mich. (Kayla Renie | MLive.com)

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Scoring Summary

First Quarter

R: Jaiden Friesen 4 run (Teagen Lenderink kick), 4:35

MS: Brady Rose 31 run (Keegan DeKuiper kick), 2:04

Second Quarter

MS: Tre Hatcher 19 run (DeKuiper kick), 14-7

R: Friesen 51 run (Lenderink kick), :02

Third Quarter

R: Friesen 7 run (kick blocked), 1:25

Fourth Quarter

R: Friesen 1 run (Lenderink kick), 8:52

MS: Rose 5 run (DeKuiper kick), 1:22

R: Friesen 38 run (Lenderink kick), :25

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Mona Shores quarterback Caden Broersma fakes the ball to running back Tre Hatcher, center, during a play near the goal line Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Sailor Stadium in Norton Shores, Mich. (Kayla Renie | MLive.com)

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Team Stats

Total offense: Rockford 297; Mona Shores 241

Team rushing: Rockford 38-234; Mona Shores 28-155

First downs: Rockford 16; Mona Shores 14

Penalties: Rockford 5-35; Mona Shores 6-30

Fumbles: Rockford 2 (0 lost); Mona Shores 3 (1 lost)

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Rockford head coach Ralph Munger watches from the sideline during the Rams' game against Mona Shores Friday, Sept. 20, 2019, at Sailor Stadium in Norton Shores, Mich. (Kayla Renie | MLive.com)

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Individual Stat Leaders

Rushing

Rockford: Jaiden Friesen 38-211, 5 TDs

Mona Shores: Tre Hatcher 10-71, 1 TD; Brady Rose 5-67, 2 TDs

Passing

Rockford: Chris Corey 1-6, 13 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT

Mona Shores: Caden Broersma 6-12, 47 yards, 0 TD, 1 INT

Receiving

Rockford: Brock Holwerda 1-13

Mona Shores: Keondre Pierce 3-50

Defense

Rockford: Cole Gleason 6 tackles; Ben Tadych 5 tackles; Ian Brofft 1 fumble recovery; Nick McCauley 1 interception

Mona Shores: Cam Sobish 12 tackles; Gary Humprey 9 tackles; Kolbe Trovinger 8 tackles; Tre Word 7 tackles; Brady Rose 5 tackles; Karsen Marihugh 5 tackles; Keondre Pierce 5 tackles

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