The Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Cranes (1-0) win season opener 35-0 over the Redford Union Panthers (

Senior QB Trevor McConnell threw for 2 TD's in the Cranes 35-0 victory over Redford Union.

The Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Cranes (1-0) defeated the Redford Union Panthers (0-1) in a non-conference match up to open their 2017 season. The win is the 7th straight opening day victory for the Cranes.

The Panthers run game held the ball for most of the first quarter, but the Crane defense held them out of the end zone. The score stood 0-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The Cranes finally got on the board on a short yardage run by sophomore RB Jack Fairman at 8:30 mark in the second quarter. A 23-yard pass from senior QB Trevor McConnell to junior WR Torrell Williams put the score at 14-0 at 1:06 in the same period.

Cranbrook led 14-0 at the half.

In the third quarter, the Cranes punched the ball in on a short yardage run by senior RB Aaron Wiggins at the 8:59 mark.

After a stalled drive by the Panthers, Cranbrook found the end zone again. An 11-yard corner pass from McConnell to junior WR Kobi Russell gave the Cranes a 28-0 lead at 9:05 in the 4th quarter.

Cranes sophomore RB Tariq Muhammad added a 6-yard scamper at the 3:57 mark to end the scoring for the game.

“I am very proud of our effort today. Our boys were well-prepared to face a good running team”, said Cranbrook Head Coach Joe D’Angelo. “Our defense played with good discipline and focus to slow down their running attack.”

On offense, McConnell had 10 completions on 17 attempts for 153 yards, 2 TD’s and 1 INT. WR Marqis Stokes led the receivers with 4 receptions 85 yards. Russell and Williams both caught TD passes.

On defense, Senior LB Andrew Mertz led the Cranes with 13 tackles, while DE Chris Smith added 8 tackles and 2 TFLs. CB Marqis Stokes had 1 INT.

On special teams Cranes kicker Pierson Cooke was 5-5 on PATs, booted 6 touchbacks, and kicked a 61-yard punt.

Redford Union senior RB Thornton Cain had 66 yards rushing and senior RB Issac Grant had 46 yards in the Panthers opening day effort.

The Cranes next game will be at home against University Prep Academy. The game will be held on August 31, 2017 at Del Walden Field. Kickoff is at 5 p.m.