St. Bonifacius, Minn. – The Crown football team put together a performance that looked good enough for a win, coming out on top in several key statistical areas, but couldn't beat MacMurray where it counted, on the scoreboard. The visiting Highlanders escaped Crown with a 27-25 victory.
Special teams would play a big role, as it often does in close games, with Crown only able to convert one of their four point after attempts. A poor snap, missed kick, and missed two-point try all kept points off the board.
Crown outgained their opponents, had the ball for longer, and won the turnover battle 3-1, but couldn't quite edge the visitors, falling by four points or less for the third straight game.
Brandon McCormick had a career day, throwing for 317 yards and three touchdowns, but wasn't able to play in the third quarter due to a hamstring injury. After Crown failed to capitalize on three MacMurray turnovers in the quarter, the senior came back on for the fourth, nearly leading a remarkable comeback with two late scores.
After leading 12-0 in the first quarter thanks to a pair of
Josh Edlund touchdowns, one on a 73 yard screen pass, the Storm saw the Highlanders score 27 unanswered points. With under six minutes remaining, Crown mounted a furious comeback, getting touchdown catches from
Ben Olson and
Trey Peace, with a trick play nearly going for a two point conversion after the first of the two scores.
Crown couldn't secure a late onside kick though, and after a pair of kneel-downs the contest ended in another close loss.
Crown held the powerful Highlander aerial attack to just 200 yards through the air, including interceptions from
Chris Strange and
Cody Ricketts, but gave up 187 on the ground, including 143 yards to freshman Chazz Middlebrook, who helped control the game in the fourth quarter.
Eli Dahl made a team high 12 tackles, while freshman
Alex Banks had nine stops, three tackles for loss, a sack, and two quarterback hurries.
The Storm will look to win their season finale, at Iowa Wesleyan next week, and secure their third consecutive 4-6 season.
