By BUTCH HARMON
It was the battle of the Rams when Rockford traveled to Holt for a non-league showdown between two of the top teams in Division 1.
Thanks to a rugged defensive effort and a solid ground attack, Rockford picked up its first win of the season as it defeated Holt 22-0.
Rockford scored points in every quarter while the defense stymied Holt in the game at Holt.
Rockford took an early 3-0 lead as Casey Watters kicked a 24-yard field goal in the first quarter.
Rockford increased the margin to 10-0 shortly late in the second quarter when Connor Darby scored on a one-yard touchdown run.
Rockford upped the lead to 16-0 in the third quarter when Sam Reinke ran in from two-yards out.
Rockford closed out the scoring in the fourth quarter when Austin McKellar hit Jacob Kaiser with a nine-yard touchdown pass.
Rockford dominated the game with its running attack. Rockford rushed for 248 yards (5.1 avg.) while the Ram defense held Holt to 53 yards rushing (1.8 avg.)
McKellar led the Rockford ground game as he carried the ball 19 times for 107 yards (5.6 avg.) while Darby added 66 yards (6.0 avg.) and scored a touchdown.
Brent Showers paced the Rockford defense with six tackles including one tackle for loss and a half sack. Michael Harriga added five tackles a sack and a tackle for loss.
Holt was led offensively by junior running back Ty Glover who picked up 41 yards on 13 carries. Holt quarterback Eric Potter completed four-of-10 passes for 33 yards.
The Holt defense was paced by Charles Waits who totaled 11 tackles. Tanner Beachnau added 10 tackles including one tackle for loss. Chris Morgan also totaled 10 tackles for Holt.
Rockford returns to action when it hosts Muskegon next Friday.
Holt looks to rebound next Friday when it opens league play at Lansing Eastern.