|
OVERTIME THRILLER: Rockets Slip Past Cougars
 RAPID RIVER---The Rapid River High School football team was on the ropes late Thursday night, but pulled out a 48-40, double overtime victory, over the Superior Central Cougars. Lucas Sundling scored in the second overtime, and then the Rocket defense kept the Cougars out of the end zone, capping a thrilling game under chilly August conditions.  But Sundling caught a long touchdown pass from quarterback Brent Sundquist, and the Rockets converted the two-point play to force overtime. The comeback was sweet for the Rockets, who were frustrated by the underdog Cougars all night long. Superior Central quarterback Beau Rondeau scored all three of his team's first half touchdowns, and the Cougars stopped the Rockets twice in the red zone, including on a pass play to Darren Landis on the final play of the second quarter. It was a 22-20 Cougar lead at halftime. The struggles continued in the third quarter for Rapid River, which was playing without top players Logan Hardwick (concussion) and Tyler Sundling (hand). And then, junior linebacker Sam Orth went down with a scary neck injury and had to be carried off the field to a waiting ambulance. The injury turned out not to be severe.  Rapid River got two touchdown runs in the first half from Jarrett LaCasse, including one play where he appeared to be tackled but broke away from several defenders. The other Rocket touchdown in the first half came on a kick-off return by Lucas Sundling, who also took one to the house in last weekend's victory over Crystal Falls Forest Park. Rondeau scored his fourth touchdown in the third quarter to give the Cougars a 28-20 lead heading into the final twelve minutes. And, as it turned out, those minutes wouldn't be enough. Rapid River (2-0) hosts North Dickinson next Friday night. Click the thumbnails in the ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS box above to see photos and videos from Thursday's game.  |
