Kelloggsville Rockets Football

By Cris Greer, WKTV Managing Editor

Sturgis running back Jacob Thompson scored six touchdowns to lead Sturgis to a 56-0 win over visiting Kelloggsville Friday.

Thompson had 11 carries for 317 yards, a 29-yard average per carry, and also returned the opening kickoff 77 yards for the first score of the game.

“He carried us the whole way,” said Sturgis Coach Chance Stewart, whose team improved to 4-2 overall. “We only threw the ball six times.

“The guys did a great job; our offensive line paved the way for us. And a big credit to our defense.”

Kelloggsville Coach Brandon Branch said Thompson is “just that good.”

“He had a night,” said Branch, whose Rockets fell to 1-5 overall. “We had a lot of missed tackles because he was just that tough to tackle; he was very elusive.

“We knew what we were getting into.”

Sophomore Brock Fergison led Sturgis with 10 tackles.

Brendon Tuinstra led Kelloggsville with 105 yards on 13 carries.

“Brendon had a good night,” Branch said.

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Home field makes all the difference for Kelloggsville in 36-21 win over Calvin Christian. (WKTV)

By Zach Fanko, WKTV Contributing Writer

Friday night’s 36-21 win over Calvin Christian was more than just Kelloggsville’s first win of the season.

It was the first time the Rockets had celebrated a victory on their new home turf installed in 2019.

Both teams came out firing offensively as each team scored on each of its three drives in the first half. Kelloggsville carried a slim 22-21 lead into the locker room.

And then the Rockets’ defense took over in the second half.

“Our defense just got after it in the second half,” Kelloggsville coach Brandon Branch said. “We really shut down what Calvin was trying to do in bend, but don’t break fashion.

“They got some yards, but we kept them off the scoreboard.”

Brendan Tuinstra came up with a key interception in the second half and had 60 rushing yards and two touchdowns. While quarterback Jeremy Tsoumou, filling in for injured starter Zach Zerfas, completed 8 of 9 passes for 208 yards and three TDs.

Wide receiver Cam Townsend was the beneficiary of Tsoumou’s efficient night with six receptions for 190 yards and two TDs.

Despite not being available to play, Zerfas contributed with a couple of his own play calls in the win.

“We needed a first down in the third quarter and Zach said if we run a quick hitch it will be open,” Branch said. “Sure enough, it was open. Great call by our quarterback.”

Later on, Branch described the Rockets first win at home in nearly four years and on that new turf as “cathartic.”

“I actually took the guys after out on the field and took a picture in front of the scoreboard,” Branch said. “Definitely going to hang this one up in the office.”

Kelloggsville (1-4) will travel to Sturgis next Friday night.