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Perry’s Alex Rockafellow hauls in a pass last season while closely covered.

Usually Called On to Contain Buzz, Rockafellow Ready to Make More Noise as Perry's Top Target

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

August 21, 2026

PERRY – Two nests already were packed away in the back of his vehicle when Alex Rockafellow rolled up at 9:45 p.m. under an impressive find – a basketball-sized sphere hanging from a single thin branch over a driveway and filled with black and white-lined bald-faced hornets.

Mid-MichiganWhile most of us surely would have considered removing the nest daunting, the Perry senior saw an easy task compared to his usual searching around in the dark for a nest of insects he doesn’t want to startle. With the nest out in the open, all he had to do was snap the branch, drop the nest and its hundreds or hornets into an open pillowcase, and move on to the next collection.

Rockafellow spent five or six nights a week this summer driving around mid-Michigan working for the family business, Rock’s Free Yellow Jacket & Hornet Removal, which contains and takes away yellow jacket and hornet nests for free and sends the insects off to laboratories in Washington and Idaho where their venom is extracted to create immunotherapies to treat allergy patients.

That’s obviously not the typical high schooler summer job – and surely it’s unique among all-state football receivers and MHSAA record-holders. But he enters this season as all three, having earned all-state honorable mention from the Detroit News last fall and after tying the record for longest reception with a 99-yarder from teammate Zach Miller.

“I’ve taken some of my teammates on a few (nest) runs before. They think it’s a great time, and it’s really great getting to know each other,” said Rockafellow, a 6-foot-1, 170-pound pass catcher who reeled in 47 total for 882 yards and seven touchdowns as a junior. “Just looking for the nests, it’s really fun, (and) it’s cool to have two people looking for it. One time I took my buddy Miles, and he was the one who found the nest, and he was pretty surprised. He was like two feet from the nest when he found it.”

Opening night is a week away for 600 football teams across Michigan, and preseason practice the last few weeks has allowed Rockafellow to step away from his nighttime insect runs. Tales from his summer vacation are fascinating on their own, but the story of his climb the last five years from being uninterested in football to becoming a college prospect has its share of riveting details as well.

Rockafellow prepares to collect a nest Friday, despite nearly being stung.Rockafellow was an eighth grader during the fall of 2022, a quiet kid mostly hanging out at home “probably solving Rubik’s Cubes or reading books” and not nearly physically active enough for his dad Travis’ liking.

Alex had no interest in playing football, but Travis – who with wife Amy teaches in the Perry district – decided to reach out to a past student who was now serving as a middle school football coach. The middle school team at the time had 11 players – seventh and eighth graders combined – so Alex joined, giving the Ramblers 12 and some of his teammates a chance to take a breath.

He enjoyed that season enough to play again, entering high school a notable 6-foot tall but also just 123 pounds. He liked catching passes, didn’t love tackling, and so football remained just something to do during the fall – until the end of his sophomore season, when he moved up to varsity, and it was like he’d been stung (in a good way).

“I got a little taste of what it was like to play varsity, and I loved it,” Rockafellow recalled. “After that … (I) was just wanting more of it.

“(Football is) like an art. It’s just beautiful to watch it and see the plays unfold. Just understanding how to run routes against different defenders, where they are, and utilizing their leverage, how to attack that off the ball and how I’m going to break down.”

Intensely pursuing his role as artist, Rockafellow became a tireless worker, often found on Perry’s football field during the offseasons running routes by himself, even during breaks in winter weather. Despite suffering a broken collarbone at the end of that sophomore season, and then a busted wrist during basketball that winter, Rockafellow dedicated himself. It was during one of those football field training sessions before last spring when football coach Steve Bentley – also the school’s longtime and successful track & field coach – proposed Rockafellow give that sport a try. Over April and May, Rockafellow cut nearly two seconds off his 200 time, added four inches to his high jump and ran on the Ramblers’ 800 relay.

He’s hoping the improvements he picked up in running mechanics pay off on the football field. Another bonus: His big numbers from last fall – piled up almost entirely against double teams – came mostly on passes from now-senior quarterback Tyger Whitbeck.

They are two of only 16 players on the Perry varsity. But there are 25 players on the Ramblers’ JV, and Rockafellow’s commitment provides an example that may continue to pay off after he’s moved on.

Rockafellow makes a move up field, also last season. “He’s the sort of kid who is setting the foundation. He doesn’t care about any of the individual stuff or whatever. The only time he cares about that is when it can help him get to the next level,” Bentley said.

Rockafellow has been generating interest among Division II football programs and been offered 2027 roster spots by four Division III teams. “Courtney (Hawkins) is a friend of mine, at Michigan State, and we went and did some hand-to-hand stuff off the line of scrimmage with him, and (Alex) absorbs everything,” Bentley noted. “It’s almost to the point where it looks like he’s not paying attention to you, and he’s thinking of five different things on how he can apply what you just told him.”

Rockafellow also carries a 3.9 grade-point average, so maybe entomology is in his future?

Actually, he’s hoping to follow in the footsteps of his dad, a physical education teacher at Perry’s upper elementary school who Alex has watched impact students in a way he’d like to continue – like when Travis secured a grant to purchase mountain bikes and taught kids how to ride them.

“We’ve never been those parents to say ‘you’re going to do this, we want you to do this.’ He’s gone above and beyond what we’ve expected from him,” Travis Rockafellow said. “The best way to describe Alex is he gets himself in the right place in the right time. He puts himself out there. I was never that confident and outgoing, but to watch him make the transformation from a shy kid to this, he’s exceeded my expectations, and I’m really proud of him.”

Alex said his future could also include permanently adding a third generation to Rock's removal service. As a sweat bee darted around his helmet Monday, he didn’t seem to notice. He’s been helping out his dad and grandfather since he was 5, and the eight or so stings he received this year haven’t hurt like they used to when he was younger.

Rockafellow also will leave his mark as one of the all-time top receivers at Perry, but would love to be remembered in a less measurable way. Despite being few in numbers, the Ramblers this season are a close-knit group, and he’s plenty confident they’ll improve on their one win from a year ago.

“I would love to be just a different kind of team, one that hates losing more than they love winning,” Rockafellow said. “Just trying to be our best and fighting for everything we can get.”

Geoff KimmerlyGeoff Kimmerly joined the MHSAA in Sept. 2011 after 12 years as Prep Sports Editor of the Lansing State Journal. He is a senior editor of  MHSAA.com's editorial content and has served as MHSAA Communications Director since January 2021. Contact him at [email protected] with story ideas for the Barry, Eaton, Ingham, Livingston, Ionia, Clinton, Shiawassee, Gratiot, Isabella, Clare and Montcalm counties.

PHOTOS (Top) Perry’s Alex Rockafellow hauls in a pass last season while closely covered. (Middle) Rockafellow prepares to collect a nest Friday, despite nearly being stung. (Below) Rockafellow makes a move up field, also last season. (Photos courtesy of the Rockafellow family.)

Grand Blanc/Davison football

1st & Goal: 2021 Week 4 in Review

By Geoff Kimmerly
MHSAA.com senior editor

September 20, 2021

With every varsity team getting at most nine regular-season games, every week of the high school football season has the potential to shift landscapes locally and sometimes statewide.

MI Student AidWeek 4 saw its share of movement with league races taking some early shape and playoff talk already beginning as programs work to get a read on how their early work fits into the now fully-implemented “enhanced strength-of-schedule” system.

We’ll discuss that more as we preview our Week 5 top matchups – below take a look at many of the results from this weekend that have the state talking as we approach the midway point.

Bay & Thumb

HEADLINER Grand Blanc 43, Davison 7 The Bobcats broke free after three single-score wins over strong opponents with a victory that may prove the most memorable of all this regular season, as they ended Davison’s four-game winning streak in this rivalry. Grand Blanc (4-0) joined the Cardinals in the Saginaw Valley League Red in 2018 and had lost the last three league meetings against them by an average of 36 points per defeat. Davison (1-3), last season’s Division 1 runner-up, also has played one of the state’s toughest opening slates. Click for more from the Flint Journal.

Watch list Freeland 43, Essexville Garber 14 The Dukes’ defense has been a strong point the last two seasons and first three games of this one as they’d given up 22 points total during a 3-0 start. But Freeland’s offense after four games – and four wins – is more than halfway to equaling last season’s scoring across 11 games.

Remember this one Ubly 50, Harbor Beach 33 The Pirates (2-2) had won five of the last six in this series including twice during the playoffs and 16-14 to open the 2020 regular season. But Ubly (4-0) broke 50 points for the second straight week and is one of two teams sitting atop the Greater Thumb Conference East.

More shoutouts Millington 21, Standish-Sterling 8 The Cardinals (4-0) handed Standish-Sterling (3-1) its first defeat and can become the only undefeated team left in Tri-Valley Conference West I play when they take on Carrollton this week. Montrose 35, Chesaning 0 The Rams (3-1) are a one-point loss from a perfect start and ended Chesaning’s with their second shutout of the season.

Greater Detroit

HEADLINER Warren De La Salle Collegiate 21, Bloomfield Hills Brother Rice 16 The reigning Division 2 runner-up Pilots (3-0) scored all of their points during a mid-first half surge and held the Warriors’ offense scoreless during the second (two points came on a safety) to take an important first step in the Detroit Catholic League Central race. Brother Rice (3-1) hadn’t given up a point since the season opener and had defeated De La Salle the last two seasons. Click for more from the Detroit Free Press.

Watch list Macomb Dakota 27, Clinton Township Chippewa Valley 23 With this one of the state’s best rivalries, and both coming off close Week 3 wins, this shouldn’t have been entirely stunning. But with the Big Reds 3-0 coming in, it still could represent a nice turning point for the Cougars (2-2) – and a possible reset on the Macomb Area Conference Red race with undefeated Romeo having defeated Dakota and seeing Chippewa Valley next.

Remember this one Armada 24, Richmond 10 Four teams have won at least one Blue Water Area Conference championship over the last five seasons, and Armada (4-0) is making a strong bid to be the fifth in six years after adding a nice win over the annually-contending Blue Devils (3-1) to their six-point victory over reigning league champ North Branch in Week 3.

More shoutouts Oak Park 30, North Farmington 24 The Knights’ first four opponents are a combined 14-2, and Oak Park (1-3) fell twice by five or fewer points during the first two weeks before getting on the better side of a close one in handing North Farmington (3-1) its first defeat. South Lyon 31, Detroit Country Day 7 The Lions are 4-0 to start for the third time in four seasons and after scoring the most points reigning Division 4 champion Country Day has given up since it also appeared in the 2019 Division 4 title game.

Mid-Michigan

HEADLINER Haslett 21, Mason 8 After opening with an eight-point loss to Jackson, Haslett (3-1) has won three straight – eclipsing its win totals of the last two seasons – to pull into first place alone in the Capital Area Activities Conference Red. The Vikings led 21-0 into the fourth quarter and all but stopped an offense that was averaging 35 points per game entering the weekend. Reigning league champ Mason (2-2) had opened the league schedule in Week 3 with a win over Williamston and joined the Hornets among four teams now a game back in the standings. Click for more from the Lansing State Journal

Watch list Mount Pleasant 33, Midland Dow 10 The Oilers (4-0) had opened with three wins over opponents with a combined one victory now through Week 4, but beating Dow (2-2) solidly reinforced Mount Pleasant’s playoff-point status as the top-ranked team in Division 3.

Remember this one East Lansing 20, Portage Central 15 Mason Woods’ 63-yard touchdown catch from Brevin Jackson with 2:21 to play helped the Trojans (2-2) get back to .500 after a start against opponents a combined 11-5 so far.

More shoutouts Beal City 48, Lake City 8 The Aggies (3-1) are a one-point Week 1 loss from a perfect start and will play Evart this week with the Highland Conference title potentially on the line after shutting down the Trojans (3-1). Stockbridge 68, Pontiac 40 Jeremy Pilch scored nine touchdowns – tying for fourth-most in MHSAA history – and a total of 64 points, which is tied for third-most in that category.

Northern Lower Peninsula

HEADLINER Traverse City Central 42, Traverse City West 14 The Trojans extended their winning streak against the rival Titans to three and moved into first place alone in a Big North Conference that features four of six teams at 3-1 overall – including both Central and West. The Trojans ran out to a quick lead this time and then ran away during a second-half surge. Click for more from the Traverse City Record-Eagle.

Watch list Big Rapids 25, Central Montcalm 21 After opening with a loss to Coopersville, Big Rapids has won three straight to tie for the early lead in the Central State Activities Association Gold – while handing Central Montcalm (3-1) its lone defeat.

Remember this one Mancelona 66, Johannesburg-Lewiston 42 While the Cardinals (0-4) are admittedly off to a rare slow start, Mancelona (4-0) brought a high-scoring end to a seven-game losing streak against them.

More shoutouts Gaylord 10, Petoskey 7 The Blue Devils (2-2) avenged last season’s 22-14 loss, in the process handing the Northmen (3-1) their lone defeat. Frankfort 22, Oscoda 14 Playing a rare back-to-back series, the Panthers (3-1) finished a two-week sweep of the Owls (1-2), this one ending a bit closer than the Week 3 32-16 win.

Southeast & Border

HEADLINER Addison 36, Michigan Center 35 These Cascades Conference contenders never separated from each other by more than seven points, with Addison adding the winning score with 3:12 to play. While the Panthers (4-0) gave up as many points as they had over their first three games, they did hold Michigan Center (3-1) to a season low while scoring the first points the Cardinals had given up this fall. Addison’s Week 8 opponent is the only other team that has yet to lose a Cascades game. Click for more from the Jackson Citizen Patriot.

Watch list Union City 26, Reading 20 (OT) The Chargers (2-2) bounced right back from a Week 3 loss to Jonesville, handing Reading (3-1) only its second Big 8 Conference loss over the last five seasons.

Remember this one Monroe St. Mary Catholic Central 21, Milan 15 The Big Reds (3-1) had won three straight of St. Mary (although the two Huron League rivals didn’t play each other last season). But the Falcons ended that streak and put themselves in position to take a commanding advantage in the league title race this week against reigning champ Riverview.

More shoutouts Ida 26, Clinton 20 The Bluestreaks (3-1) are in position to contend for the Lenawee County Athletic Association title after edging the reigning Division 6 runner-up and with early league co-leader Hudson next up. Ann Arbor Huron 31, Temperance Bedford 30 The River Rats (3-1) equaled last season’s win total and set themselves up for their best finish in more than a decade by holding off a late Bedford comeback attempt.

Southwest Corridor

HEADLINER Portage Northern 35, Stevensville Lakeshore 28 Coming off a 2020 District Final run, Portage Northern (1-3)  didn’t find its footing early this fall against three opponents who have made some early noise in the Southwestern Michigan Athletic Conference. But the Huskies may have turned the corner in a big way handing Lakeshore (3-1) its first loss – while also running their winning streak over the Lancers to four as well. Click for more from the Kalamazoo Gazette.

Watch list Lawton 52, Allegan 7 The Blue Devils (4-0)  gave up their first points of the season and continued their streak of breaking 50 points every game this fall.

Remember this one Battle Creek Lakeview 31, Battle Creek Central 18 The Spartans (3-1) extended their winning streak in this rivalry series to three, bouncing back from a Week 3 loss to River Rouge to keep pace tied atop the SMAC.

More shoutouts Parchment 50, Saugatuck 43 Since opening with a loss to Lawton the Panthers (3-1) have equaled last season’s win total, with their next victory guaranteeing their best record since 2017. Plainwell 33, Richland Gull Lake 14 Much of the attention in the Wolverine Conference is being paid to powerful Edwardsburg, but Plainwell (4-0) will roll into this week’s matchup with the Eddies with its best start since 2013.

Upper Peninsula

HEADLINER Houghton 21, Bark River-Harris 20 The Gremlins (3-1) are on a roll since falling to Ishpeming Westwood in their season opener, with this win giving them one more than either last season or 2019. Similar to last season, this came down to the final minutes – a year ago Houghton won 3-0 on a fourth-quarter field goal, and this time the go-ahead points against the Broncos (3-1) came on late touchdown catch. Click for more from the Houghton Daily Mining Gazette.

Watch list Marquette 55, Kingsford 34 Halfway through the Greater Northern Conference schedule, Marquette (3-1) has two 50-point scoring performances and two double-digit wins – this one handing Kingsford (3-1) its first loss.

Remember this one Gladstone 30, Escanaba 15 The Braves (2-2) came back from a one-point loss to Menominee in Week 3 to defeat Escanaba (1-3) for the first time since 2010.

More shoutouts Sault Ste. Marie 49, Cheboygan 21 The Blue Devils (3-1) rebounded from their first loss with their highest points total of the season. Ishpeming Westwood 42, Ishpeming 0 The Patriots (3-1) posted a second-straight shutout of the rival Hematites (1-2), also in bouncing back from a Week 3 defeat.

West Michigan

HEADLINER Montague 33, Muskegon Oakridge 7 The Wildcats have outscored their three West Michigan Conference opponents by a combined 103-7 and have themselves in position to repeat as league champions with a second-straight big win over the rival Eagles (3-1). Two of Montague’s final three league foes are also 3-1 overall, but the Wildcats have at least a game on both in the league standings. Click for more from FOX 17.

Watch list Muskegon Heights Academy 34, Manistee 28 The Tigers didn’t play last season and before that had lost 21 of their last 22. But they’re off to a 4-0 start and have guaranteed their best finish since at least 2011.

Remember this one Rockford 53, Grandville 46 (2OT) Pay little attention to Grandville’s 1-3 record – the Bulldogs have played two of the three early frontrunners in the Ottawa-Kent Conference Red. This matchup is almost always memorable, and Rockford (4-0) made it six wins over their last eight meetings including three of those decided by one score.

More shoutouts Muskegon Mona Shores 47, Zeeland West 12 Over the last two weeks Muskegon High and then Mona Shores (3-1) have whittled the O-K Green race down a bit with back-to-back wins over West (1-2), and the Sailors get another contender in Zeeland East next. Byron Center 28, East Grand Rapids 20 The Bulldogs (4-0) avenged last season’s 12-8 Week 9 loss to the Pioneers (1-3) that cost them an outright O-K White championship.

8-Player

HEADLINER Bridgman 45, Mendon 0 The Bees (4-0) are now 19-2 since moving to 8-player in 2019, but this might be their most notable win since making the switch. Mendon (3-1) had entered averaging 63 points per game, but Bridgman earned its second-straight shutout of the fall while seeing its scoring average fall to only 53 points per contest. Click for more from the St. Joseph Herald-Palladium.

Watch list Morrice 59, Lawrence 6 The Orioles (4-0) appear to be building toward another special season now having scored at least 58 points in every game and giving up no more than six in any of them – and the Tigers (3-1) had scored 60+ the previous two weeks. Circle Morrice’s Week 9 matchup with Deckerville as potentially the biggest 8-player game of the regular season.

Remember this one Marion 44, Mesick 29 If Marion (4-0) eventually wins the West Michigan D League title, this could be the decider as it sent 2019 champion Mesick into second place and one game back. (No league title was awarded in 2020.)

More shoutouts Adrian Lenawee Christian 56, Athens 0 The Cougars moved to 15-0 since moving to 8-player last season, this time handing Athens (3-1) its lone defeat. Eau Claire 30, Wyoming Tri-unity Christian 26 The Beavers (2-2) have set themselves up to make a run at their best record in at least seven years, especially notable coming back from a stretch that saw them win only two games total from 2015-19.

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PHOTO: A swarm of Grand Blanc defenders bring a Davison ball carrier to the ground Friday. (Photo by Terry Lyons.)