The Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Cranes (6-1) (4-0) toppled the Allen Park Cabrini Monarchs (2-5) (0-3) 42-7 in a CHSL Intersectional I match up.
The win clinches a MHSAA playoff berth for the Cranes, and qualifies them for a berth in the CHSL Prep Bowl at Ford Field. It also completes a sweep of the Intersectional I division, a first for Cranbrook since entering the Catholic League.
The Cranes opened the scoring on a 19-yard pass from senior QB Tyler Santangelo to sophomore WR Kobi Russell late in the 1st quarter.
But the Monarchs would not take lightly the challenge at their new home field from the Cranes. CB Hunter Pierrel intercepted a Santangelo pass and returned it for a TD. The game stood at 7-7 when the 1st quarter ended.
The second quarter saw the Cranes lay siege to the Monarchs. The Cranes would find the end zone early in the period, this time on a 5-yard dash by junior RB Aaron Wiggins.
Santangelo, who missed several games this season due to injury, regained his stellar passing form and found senior TE Patrick Foley for a 62-yard pass play. The Cranes took take a 21-7 lead into halftime.
“The first part of the game was very close. Cabrini certainly came ready to play,” said Cranes head Coach Joe D’ Angelo. “We believed that Cabrini would give us their best.”
Cranbrook would renew its assault on the Monarchs in the 3rd period.
In the middle of the quarter, Santangelo found Foley again, this time capping of a drive with a 2-yard TD pass.
In the rest of the quarter, the Crane defense imposed its will.
Cranes senior DE Garrett Faulkner would sack QB Hunter Pierrel, and force a fumble in the Monarch end zone. Cranbrook junior DE Chris Smith would pounce on it, giving the Cranes another TD.
“Our defense played well, stopping their drives and giving us opportunities to score”, said D’Angelo.
A late 3rd period TD pass from Santangelo to sophomore WR Torrell Williams, would add to the Crane total and establish the winning score of 42-7. The Cranes would run out the clock in the 4th period behind the running of seniors Daniel Russell and A.J. Rodriguez.
Santangelo would finish the game 14 of 24 for 217 yards and 4 TD’s. Junior RB Aaron Wiggins would rush for 103 yards on 11 attempts and 1 TD. WR Kobi Russell led the receiving core 7 catches for 103 and 1 TD.
Defensively, senior LB Tristan Knoer led the Cranes siege with 6 tackles, with LB Pat Foley bring in 4 tackles including a tackle for a loss. DE Chris Smith recovered a fumble for a TD.
Junior K Pierson Cook was 6 for 6 in PAT on special teams.
For the Monarchs, starting junior QB Matthew Bzura was 11 for 22 and one INT. Senior WR Trevor Kimes caught 3 passes for 43 yards.
The Cranes move on to face the Detroit Loyola Bulldogs (7-1) (3-0) in a CHSL crossover match up at home in Week 8 action.
The Monarchs will travel to play Macomb Lutheran North (3-4) (1-2) to finish their CHSL schedule for the year.