If football fans were pleased with last week’s Squire article on undefeated conference play by the Rockford Ram varsity, JV and freshman football teams, they’ll be excited to know the fine Ram football tradition extends to the North Rockford Middle School 78ers, who had a perfect 7-0 season this year as well.
Watching the 78ers this season was like watching the varsity team, as the squad boasted 60 players. The similarities didn’t stop there. The team consisted of hard-working, dedicated, talented boys with heart. The Rams started their season against FHE who handed them their only loss last year. After winning that game 52-44 the Rams were determined to take their winning ways through the entire season.
“This team possessed great leadership and a great work ethic. Before we left the locker room for each game we chanted, ‘hard hitting, never quitting’ and the team took this to heart. The attitude of working hard, not quitting and being physical were the key components to having an undefeated season” says Coach Saur. The team showed their heart in their match up against an undefeated FHC in their second to last game. After being down 8-28 going into the second half of play, the team attacked the second half of the game with their heads held high and hearts set on winning. The second half was a fierce battle of true Ram football with the Ram’s pulling off the win 36-34.
Sixty 78ers would be a challenge for any coaching staff, but the NRMS coaching staff was as hard-working, dedicated and talented as the boys on the field. Most plays involved substituting 2-4 players on and off the field and never was there a penalty for too many men on the field. That’s a tribute to great coaching, and great players.
Anyone who knows football knows how important every position is to the team. Assistant Coach Trevor Alferink was proud to coach these great kids and said the team “practiced hard every day and brought that out on the game field and it showed.” The 78ers brought it to their home field one last time for their last game of the season against EGR. It was a race against the weather, but every player contributed to another fine 28-12 win. Football fans can look forward to many years of great football with some talented and hard-working players in the ranks.
Comments by our Readers