JACKSONVILLE, Ill. --- Crown Football lost a shootout with the MacMurray Highlanders on Saturday afternoon 45-27. Sophomore quarterback Jared Gilmore had a huge game where he set the school single-game records for pass completions (33) and attempts (51). Crown Hall of Famer Adam Hayes previously had both records. Gilmore had 342 yards, 140.8 QBR, and four touchdowns in a banner game for the young QB.
Along with Gilmore's record-setting performance, the receiving core had a tremendous performance. Senior receiver David McIntosh led the way with eight receptions, 132 yards, and a touchdown. First-year receiver Cole Mistretta had 106 yards and nine receptions as he joined McIntosh with a 100-yard game. First-year Andra Key had a team-leading eleven receptions along with 68 yards and a touchdown. Fellow first-year receiver Janaire Smith also grabbed a touchdown pass as the Storm passing attack was alive and well.
The Storm fell behind early when the Highlanders scored two first-quarter touchdowns. After a third MacMurray score put the Highlanders ahead 18-0 early in the second quarter, it was Smith's 18-yard touchdown reception from Gilmore to put the Storm on the board. MacMurray responded with a score of their own, but Crown rebounded from that when Jared Gilmore punched in a quarterback sneak for the second Crown score as the second quarter expired.
The Storm came out of the break with energy and scored on their first drive when Gilmore found Key for a seven-yard touchdown, capping a nine-play, 77-yard drive. This cut the Highlander lead to 24-20, and the Storm were a possession back from an 18 point deficit.
Unfortunately for the Storm, MacMurray scored twice more to open up a strong lead and at the end of the third, the Storm trailed 38-20. The Storm scored once more as McIntosh caught his first touchdown of the season on a 23-yard strike from Gilmore. Unfortunately, it was too late for another comeback run as Crown fell 45-27.
Leading the rushing attack for the Storm was first-year back Ameer Lee, who ran for 72 yards and averaged 9.0 yards per carry (in large part due to a spectacular 52-yard run). Sophomore Avory Caruthers added 58 yards on the ground, and Gilmore added six yards and a score.
Defensively, junior defensive back Corey Huard led the Storm defense with his third straight game with an interception and a pass deflected, a fumble forced, a fumble recovered and seven tackles. Before the contest, the Storm defense led the entire NCAA Division III in interceptions, and now are up to 15 this season.
First-year Denilson Mendoza led the team in tackles with eight, his career-high. Quis Icon added another sack to his sophomore campaign and junior Jesse Synoground led the team with two broken up passes.
The Storm led the Highlanders in first downs 28-26 but were outgained 639-478. Crown is now 3-4 overall and 2-3 in conference play as they return home this weekend with a matchup against the Greenville Panthers at noon in Old National Bank Stadium.
