Junior Kobi Russell catches a TD pass from Senior Trevor McConnell in the Cranes 21-0 victory over Richard.
The Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Cranes (5-1) (2-0) defeated the Riverview Gabriel Richard Pioneers (5-1) (2-1) 21-0 in a CHSL divisional showdown. The win puts Cranbrook in position to earn a berth in the post season.
The Cranes opened the scoring with a 24-yard pass from senior QB Trevor McConnell to junior WR Kobi Russell at 7:30 left in the 1st quarter.
Cranbrook would find the passing game effective again; this time a 7-yard pass from McConnell to junior WR Torrell Williams early in the 2nd qtr.
“We were able to get our passing game going early”, said Cranes Head Coach Joe D’Angelo. “We found a rhythm and it got us on the scoreboard.”
After a long in the action due to a Richard injury, the Cranes would turn to the running game.
Senior RB Aaron Wiggins would pound out good chunks of yardage on the ground, including a 41-yard scamper for a TD.
The Cranes led 21-0 at the half.
The second half would see the Crane defense stifle the Pioneer attack, allowing no points and only a few yards on each drive.
The Cranes would exercise great ball control and ran down the clock. The game would end with no further scoring.
“Richard deserves a lot a credit for taking away some of our plays, they fought hard and hung tough” said Coach D’Angelo. “They are a well-coached team.”
McConnell would finish 6 for 13 on 71 yards and 2 TD’s. Wiggins would rush for 13 for 165 and 1 TD. Russell had 2 receptions for 38 yards and a TD, while Williams had 2 catches for 19 yards and a TD.
Junior DT Abhi Thakur had 9 tackles and 1 TFL, senior LB Andrew Mertz had 8 tackles and 1 TFL LB Connor Toomey had a sack, and CB Kobi Russell had 1 INT.
K Pierson Cooke made 3 PAT’s, and had a punting average of 56 yards.
The Cranes now turn to face Macomb Lutheran North on the road in another divisional matchup in Week 7 action.