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Rockets Start Strong But Bellaire Pulls Upset, 28-16
 RAPID RIVER----The loud yelp of pain could be heard throughout most of the stadium. Rapid River Rockets quarterback Jake Pearson was running a sideline play late in the second quarter of his team's game with Bellaire Friday night. 
Jake Pearson is hurt...and angry about it.
Pearson had to leave the game with his team ahead, 16-6, and driving. But two plays later, the Rockets fumbled the ball, and on the last play of the half, Bellaire got a lucky touchdown to close the gap entering the locker room. That was the big momentum changer as the Eagles shut out Rapid River from there, and with a pair of second half touchdowns, Bellaire went back below the Bridge with a 28-16 upset win. Pearson, a hard-working, never-say-die football player, did return to the line-up in the second half. But he clearly wasn't the same as the Rapid River offense sputtered.  
Jake Pearson injures ankle.
But the Rockets got their first possession and also moved downfield, as Zach Dominique broke off a long run and Pearson scored from five yards out. The extra point run put the Rockets ahead, 8-6. 
Riley Pajnich (14) blocks Wes Villafane (7).
Three plays later, Pearson sprinted along the near sidelines 69 yards, thrilling the Parents Night crowd on a cold, rainy evening. The two-point run gave the Rockets a 16-6 lead, and after the defense stopped the Eagles in Rapid territory again, Pearson led his team down field to the Bellaire 23. But that's when the painful injury happened, changing the course of the game. Rapid River almost made it into the locker room unscathed, but after a pass interference call, Ballaire had one play with 1.6 seconds left at the Rocket 14. 
Bellaire gets tipped TD at buzzer.
The second half was frustrating for the Rockets, as their high-powered offense could not dent the scoreboard again. And it was a big road win for Bellaire. 
Rocket captains raise the U.S. flag to remember Army Staff Sgt. Joe Micks of Rapid River, who died in Iraq in 2006.
We won't know the playoff pairings for sure, however, until Sunday night when the Michigan High School Athletic Association announces them during a live statewide television program. It starts at 6:00 Sunday night on Fox Sports Detroit (Channel 33). The Rockets' playoff games will be broadcast live on WCHT-AM (600), with Friday night contests also being broadcast on WGKL-FM (105.5). Internet broadcasts will be provided here on www.rrnsports.com, both for computers, smart phones, and other mobile devices. Click the thumbnails in the "ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS" box on the right side of this page to see pictures and videos from the game.  |
| Date | Time | Opponent | Score | Record |
8/24 |
7:00 PM |
at Ewen-Trout Creek Panthers
|
52 - 0 (W)
|
1-0
|
8/30 |
7:00 PM |
at Posen Vikings
|
54 - 14 (W)
|
2-0
|
9/6 |
4:00 PM |
at Stockbridge, Wis.
|
2 F - 0 (W)
|
3-0
|
9/14 |
7:00 PM |
Brimley Bays
|
42 - 6 (W)
|
4-0
|
9/21 |
7:00 PM |
Engadine Eagles
|
60 - 40 (W)
|
5-0
|
9/28 |
7:00 PM |
Cedarville Trojans
|
12 - 72 (L)
|
5-1
|
10/6 |
3:00 PM |
at Superior Central Cougars
|
30 - 27 (W)
|
6-1
|
10/12 |
7:00 PM |
at Mid Peninsula Wolverines
|
60 - 36 (W)
|
7-1
|
10/19 |
7:00 PM |
Bellaire Eagles
|
16 - 28 (L)
|
7-2
|
10/26 |
7:00 PM |
Superior Central Cougars
|
44 - 34 (W)
|
8-2
|
11/2 |
7:00 PM |
at Cedarville Trojans
|
22 - 14 (W)
|
9-2
|
11/10 |
2:00 PM |
Bellaire Eagles
|
16 - 20 (L)
|
9-3
|
