St. Bonifacius, Minn. – The Polars Football team kicked off their 2024 season on Saturday and fell to Hamline by a score of 35-14.
The second play of the game saw the Pipers score the first points of the season on a long breakaway touchdown. After a Polars three and out the Pipers answered again scoring on another chunk passing play. The Crown offense sputtered a bit early as the first three drives finished as three and outs. Hamline took a 21-0 lead at the end of the first quarter. The second quarter Crown found some life on offense as they put together a few solid drives but were unable to find the endzone. The Pipers found the endzone twice to take the score to 35-0 at the half.
The momentum started to favor the Polars in the 3
rd quarter when Crown's defense created a turnover as
Rudy Criner grabbed his 7
th career interception. Despite getting into the red zone twice the Polars were not able to score until the fourth quarter. The Pipers offense was held to just 25 total yards in the third quarter. With the second play of the 4
th quarter quarterback
Zach Brown fired his first career touchdown pass to
Jakari Hunnecook to cut the lead to 35-7 with 14:01 to go in the 4
th. From there the Polars offense came alive scoring on the very next drive. Brown tossed his second touchdown of the day this time to senior
Michael Downs on a fade route in the back corner of the end zone to make it 35-14 and that is where the score finished.
Brown finished his efficient collegiate debut 16 for 21 totaling 155 passing yards and 2 passing touchdowns.
Chris Nigh led in rushing yards with 42 on the ground.
Kadin Johnson also had 11 carries for 21 yards.
Seth Medina led the Polars receivers with 6 receptions for 70 yards. Downs followed closely behind with 5 receptions and 67 receiving yards and his first touchdown of the season.
Defensively
Gabe Banks notched 7 tackles, 2 breakups, and 0.5 tackles for loss.
Eddie Hallowanger totaled 4 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss.
Keenan Turqueza earned 2.5 tackles for loss.
Brock Knick was 2-2 on PAT attempts and missed his lone field goal attempt.
The Polars fall to 0-1 on the season and will next head on the road to Indianola, Iowa to face off with Simpson College on Saturday, September 14th at 6pm.
