09/04/2026
Week 2
Friday, September 4, 2026
Muskegon Big Reds (0-1)
At Rockford Rams (0-1)
Carlson-Munger Stadium, 4100 Kroes Rd NE, Rockford, MI 49341
Tickets: General admission $5.00 at the gate or in advance here https://gofan.co/event/6779157?schoolId=MI10170
Radio: WUGM 106.1 FM and www.m106fm.com beginning at 6:30. Presented by Family Financial Credit Union and Hamburger Mikey.
Video: https://fan.hudl.com/usa/mi/rockford/organization/5221/rockford-high-school/team/48791/boys-varsity-football/watch?b=QnJvYWRjYXN0MzkwMDkwMA%3D%3D
Tonight Muskegon will head to Rockford in search of their first win of the season. To many teams, playing at the home of the Rams might be intimidating, but not the Big Reds. They actually have a pretty good track record at what is now known as Carlson-Munger Stadium.
Muskegon’s last visit to the ‘Ted’ was a 28-21 loss in 2024, but prior to that, the Big Reds had won three straight games on the Rockford campus. In 2001, Muskegon pulled off a huge shocker, as the 6-3 Big Reds traveled to take on the 9-0 and #1 ranked Rams in an MHSAA Pre-District playoff game. The determined visitors just wouldn’t be denied, eliminating the hosts 34-31 in double overtime, giving Tony Annese his first post season win at MHS.
In 2008 Muskegon boarded the bus and headed to Rockford for an O-K Red conference game. Both teams were undefeated at 7-0, but it wasn’t even close as Muskegon rolled to a 34-6 victory and then clinched the league title a week later with a win over Jenison. The Big Reds would go on to complete a perfect 14-0 campaign and earn the D2 title, while the Rams would bounce back to win a state championship of their own in D1.
After playing the 2010 league game at Fifth Third Ballpark, the schools returned to Rockford for a 2012 non-conference clash as Muskegon had been moved to the O-K Black. Once again, the Big Reds got the better of the host Rams, winning 21-9 as Muskegon racked up 400 total yards of offense behind an electrifying performance from Marcus Smith.
Overall, Muskegon is 5-8 against Rockford, but 3-2 at Carlson-Munger Stadium.
The Big Reds played their first overtime game in 25 years last week, dropping a 29-28 decision to Grandville of the rugged O-K Red conference. Muskegon is now 3-6 overall in OT games, including 2-4 at home. Here is a list of all those games that went beyond regulation:
10-22-76 (H) Alpena L, 13-14 (OT)
9-15-78 (H) Saginaw Arthur Hill W, 12-6 (OT)
9-25-81 (H) Grand Haven L, 14-17 (OT)
10-14-83 (A) Muskegon Catholic L, 7-13 (OT)
11-3-90 (H) Saginaw L, 27-33 (2OT)
9-4-92 (H) East Kentwood W, 12-6 (OT)
9-25-92 (A) Traverse City L, 14-21 (OT)
10-27-01 (A) Rockford W, 34-31 (2OT)
8-28-26 (H) Grandville L, 28-29 (OT)
Despite the loss on the scoreboard, Muskegon actually won many of the statistical battles against the Bulldogs last Friday. The Big Reds led in total yards 305-251 (including 269-136 on the ground), first downs 17-10 and had possession of the ball for 30 of the 48 minutes, something that’s very tough to do against a Wing-T team. Muskegon’s defense also held Grandville to 1-of-9 efficiency on third down, but the Bulldogs scored all three of their touchdowns in regulation on fourth down plays.
The Big Reds were whistled for six penalties, not terrible for a season opener. But they were costly infractions. The first nullified a first down run. The second negated what would have been a 72-yard touchdown run that would have put Muskegon ahead 14-6 in the second quarter. Instead, the drive stalled and Grandville scored on the ensuing drive to take a 12-7 lead into the half.
Leading 22-12 in the fourth quarter, the Big Reds were flagged for a defensive pass interference penalty on a 3rd-and-8 play from the Big Reds’ 18-yard line, giving the guests a fresh set of downs, which they used to score a touchdown four plays later. Those were all tough but valuable lessons for this Muskegon team going forward.
Meanwhile, the Rams ran into a beehive as the Hornets of Saline stung Rockford 39-12 last Thursday. Trailing 6-0 early in the second quarter, Rockford got a break when Saline’s long snapper airmailed his delivery over the punter’s head and out of the back of the endzone for a Rams safety. The Hornets then had to kick the ball back to the visiting Rams and they took advantage of the short field, driving for a field goal to pull within 6-5. The score stayed that way until three touchdowns were scored in rapid-fire succession in the final 95 seconds of the first half.
Saline scored on a quarterback keeper, then stripped the ball from Rockford’s quarterback, leading to a scoring toss and a 20-5 lead, but the hosts left enough time on the clock for the Rams to strike back with a late touchdown pass to pull within 20-12 at the half. The Hornets then dominated the second half as running back Carson Cherry added scoring runs of 68 and 31 yards to put the game out of reach. Cherry finished with 248 yards rushing while sophomore transfer quarterback Case Campbell threw for three scores and ran for another.
That all means the two teams battling in Rockford tonight have something to prove. Both the Big Reds and Rams feel they weren’t at their best last week and neither wants that taste of defeat to linger over the holiday weekend.
We are incredibly blessed once again to have very generous support from the following area businesses! Without their partnership with the BRRN and M106, these broadcasts would not be possible! Please check out the links below to learn more about our wonderful sponsors!
2026 BRRN Presenting Sponsors
Family Financial Credit Union https://www.ff-cu.org/
Hamburger Mikey https://hamburgermikey.net/
2026 BRRN Sponsors
Belasco Electric https://belascoelectric.com/
Benson Drug https://sav-mor.com/benson-drug
Clock Funeral Home https://www.clockfuneralhome.com/
House of Hobbies Muskegon https://www.houseofhobbiesmuskegon.com/
Lakeside Cafe https://lakesidetogo.com/
Lange Flooring Center https://www.langeflooringcenter.com/
Muskegon Big Red Athletic Foundation https://bigredathleticfoundation.org/
Muskegon Inspired https://www.facebook.com/MuskegonInspired/
