Box Score Mount Pleasant, Iowa – The Crown football team traveled to former UMAC associate member Iowa Wesleyan on Saturday for a non-conference showdown with the now NAIA Tigers. Despite a promising start, the Storm couldn't stick with the scholarship program, falling by a final score of 69-28.
The Storm received the opening kickoff and Rudy Criner returned it 30 yards to give Crown great starting field position. The team promptly marched 55 yards in 14 plays, a drive that was capped by a Jared Gilmore two-yard touchdown run to get the visitors on the scoreboard early.
The Tigers would waste no time in answering, needing just three plays on the ensuing drive to match Crown's touchdown and take a 7-6 lead after the extra point.
Crown would convert twice on fourth down on their next drive, which eventually ended deep in Iowa Wesleyan territory after an interception.
The Crown defense would rise to the occasion, forcing an intentional grounding on the next play, which occurred in the end zone and resulted in a safety, giving the Storm an 8-7 advantage.
After a Tiger touchdown staked the home team to a 14-8 lead, Crown had another promising drive deep into enemy territory. Unfortunately, this drive would end in another red zone interception with Major Niccum picking off a Crown pass at the goal line and returning it to midfield.
The Tigers scored to take a 20-8 lead on that drive and after stopping Crown on their next drive were once again on the march before Teris Watson came up with an interception at the home 48 yard line.
The next Storm drive ended with a turnover on downs and Iowa Wesleyan scored on an eleven yard touchdown strike to take a 27-8 lead.
Crown hit back before the end of the quarter as Gilmore connected with Ryan Swecker for a 50 yard touchdown, the Storm's longest play from scrimmage on the day.
After Iowa Wesleyan scored, Gilmore once again connected with Swecker, this time on a 29 yard touchdown pass making the score 35-20. Crown would bend but not break on the last drive of the half, stopping the Tigers inside the red zone as time expired.
The third quarter would not be so kind to the Storm as a 58 yard kickoff return by the Tigers set the tone for a dominant quarter from the home team.
Iowa Wesleyan would score three more times in the quarter, jumping out to a 56-20 lead. The lone highlight of the quarter was a Isaac Herron forced fumble and fumble recovery for the Storm.
Crown would acquit themselves much better in the final period, answering a Tiger touchdown with an eight play, 65 yard drive that culminated in a six yard touchdown pass from Gilmore to George Green. The Crown quarterback would then complete the two-point conversion with a rush of his own to move the score to 63-28.
The Tigers would add one final score on a short touchdown run with under a minute to play to set the final score at 69-28.
Crown was led on the offensive side of the ball by 351 yards through the air from Gilmore, who threw for three touchdowns on the afternoon.
Cole Mistretta led the team in both catches and yards with 11 grabs for 119 yards, while Swecker also topped the century mark with six catches for 112 yards and the two touchdowns.
Gilmore had a fine day punting the ball as well, averaging 46.5 yards on four punts, including two inside the 20 and a long of 59 yards.
Criner averaged 31.3 yards on four kickoff returns, with a long of 43, and also led the team with 11 total tackles. Linebacker Gabriel Banks had seven tackles and a sack, while Logan Disabella and Josef Pennella each had two pass breakups.
Crown returns home next Saturday for a 1 p.m. kickoff with UMAC opponent Martin Luther.
