Football downs Rockets 35-28

by Zach Johnson The Maple Lake Irish took on a feisty Rockford Rockets team at Irish Stadium on Friday night, Sept. 21. The Rockets came to town with a chip on their shoulder and were determined to upset the high-flying Irish. The game was a slugfest with neither team able to establish dominance for three and a half quarters. The Irish took the opening kickoff on their own 19-yard line and were able to move the ball down the field behind excellent blocking by the offensive line led by seniors Isaac Kotila and Ben Hudek, who keyed the power running attack. Senior slot back Drew Hanson streaked around the left end for the final nine yards and the score behind the block of junior wide-out Zach Johnson. Sophomore kicker Charlie Stejskal kicked the extra point. Stejskal again proved an invaluable asset as he was five-for-five on extra points. The Rockets took the kickoff and moved methodically down the field with a series of runs up the middle of the Irish defense. The Rockets scored the tying touchdown on a six-yard run. The Rockets’ kickoff was short, but fielded cleanly at the Irish 35-yard line by senior linebacker Isaac Hendrickson. The first quarter ended with the score tied at seven. The second quarter began with the Irish in control of the football. Twelve plays and 65 yards later, the Irish scored on a five-yard run by sophomore fullback Cal Redemske. The Rockets ran the Irish kickoff back to the 25-yard line where their next scoring drive began. The Irish defense was unable to stop the Rockets’ potent running attack and the Rockets again scored, but missed the extra point, leaving the score Maple Lake 14 – Rockford 13. The next Irish scoring drive began at the 33-yard line. After some short runs produced positive yardage to the Irish 42-yard line, senior quarterback Donnie Mavencamp took off on a counter-play behind excellent blocking by his offensive line. Mavencamp picked up an outstanding downfield block by senior wide-out Bosten Fieldseth, who cleared the way for Mavencamp to reach the end zone on a play that covered 58 yards. The Irish celebration was short-lived. The Rockets took the kickoff and ran it back 95 yards for a score. Successful conversion of the two-point extra point try resulted in a tie score at 21 which stood at halftime. 
More information and stats appear in this week’s Messenger.

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