The Cranbrook defense forces a fumble in their shut out playoff victory over Lamphere.
(S. Fairman -Photo Credit)
The Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Cranes defeated the Madison Heights Lamphere Rams 35-0 in the first round of the state playoffs. The Cranes now advance to the MHSAA Division 4, Region 4, District 2 final.
This was the first Cranbrook home football game in 13 years, and the first playoff game under the lights.
The Cranes powered through the rain on Friday night, using the running game to wear down the Lamphere defense.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Cranes were able to complete a short drive from a blocked punt with a 1-yard run by sophomore RB Jack Fairman. The Cranes led 7-0 at the 9:27 mark in the 2nd quarter.
The Cranes would find the end zone again, taking advantage of good field position. Another 1-yard run from Fairman made the game 14-0 with less than a minute left in the half.
The Cranes would lead at the half.
In the third quarter, junior S Torrell Williams would recover a Lamphere fumble. A few plays later, Fairman would punch in another TD from 4 yards out. After a Pierson Cooke PAT, Cranbrook led 21-0 at the 7:52 mark in the 3rd.
After the Cranes forced another Lamphere punt, junior RB Murari Nelluri would punch in a 1-yard run to give Cranbrook a 28-0 lead. 4:09 remained in the third period.
The Cranes would score once more, this time on a 52-yard scamper by Nelluri. Cranbrook finished the 3rd period with a 35-0 lead.
Neither team would score in the last period, giving Cranbrook the playoff victory.
Sophomore RB Jack Fairman finished with 130 yards on 17 carries and 3 TDs. Junior RB Murari Nelluri ran for 78 yards on 8 yards and 2 TD’s.
The Cranbrook defense pitched its fifth shutout of the season.
Junior LB Conner Toomey led the team in tackles with 6 tackles on the night. Senior DE Tim Hauxwell, junior DT Danny Files, and sophomore LB William Kerr all turned stellar performances in slowing down the Rams running attack.
K Pierson Cooke went 5 for 5 on PAT's.
“The team executed well tonight and stood tall against a physical Lamphere team,” said Cranes Head Coach Joe D’Angelo.
Cranbrook will advance to face the Detroit Mumford Mustangs next week in second round playoff action.