ST. BONIFACIUS, Minn. --- Crown College Football concluded their 2019 campaign on Saturday as they hosted the Upper Midwest Athletic Conference champions, Martin Luther. The game didn't start in favor of the Storm, with two of the first Knights drives ending in touchdowns in two plays or less. Martin Luther added two more scores to score the first 28 points of the game, but Crown countered with sophomore quarterback finding first-year receiver Cole Mistretta for an eight-yard touchdown pass. After the Knights made two field goals to go up 34-7, the Storm came back in the third quarter. Senior Sebastian Alvarado scored on an amazing 72-yard catch, and receiver Janaire Smith caught a 12-yard pass from Gilmore to make it a two-score game and force the Knights to reinstate their starting offense. However, that offense showed why Martin Luther is a powerhouse in the UMAC, with three more scores to cap a 53-20 MLC win. Martin Luther advances to the first round of the NCAA Playoffs.
The Storm once again showed their affinity towards causing turnovers, with the Storm causing seven Knights fumbles in the came (four lost). Junior Micah Moyer, first-year Junior Doe (2), and first-year Ugo Egwim all forced the ball out in the contest. Doe set the single-season Storm record for most forced fumbles. Falling on the ball for the Storm and recovering fumbles were junior Corey Huard (2), first-year Corrin Moses and Moyer. Duffy led the Storm defense well in his final game with the Storm, compiling 11 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and splitting a sack with junior Abraham Mayo. He recorded two QB hurries in the contest. In addition, Alvarado blocked an extra point to add to his Crown career blocked kick record.
Quarterback Jared Gilmore had a great day under center, passing for 229 yards and three touchdowns. His main target was Cole Mistretta, who recorded five catches, but Janaire Smith led the team in receiving yards with 103. First-year running back Ameer Lee led the team in rushing yards with 45 in the contest.
The Storm look towards the future with their best winning percentage since 2015 and having several key contributors eligible to return with the Storm. Crown Athletics would like to thank seniors Tyler Blanchard, Sebastian Alvarado, Regan Dvorak, Hunter Orozco, Cody Ricketts, Matt Leathers, Aaron Oberste, James Pittman, and Joe Duffy for their contributions to the program and wish them well in their future endeavors.
