Senior LB Tariq Muhammad gets a sack and safety in the Cranes 15-7 win over Riverview Gabriel Richard.
(S.Fairman, photo credit)
The Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Cranes (2-1) defeated the Riverview Gabriel Richard Pioneers (2-1) 15-7 in a CHSL crossover matchup. The win moves Cranbrook to 2-1 on the season.
The Cranes defense led the way in the victory. Senior LB Jack Fairman led the way with 8 tackles 1 TFL and a fumble recovery. Senior DT Will Kerr and junior DE Bryce Hall each had 2 sacks, and sophomore LB Travis Illitch had a sack. Senior Jacob Peruski had an interception.
Senior LB Tariq Muhammad sacked Pioneers junior QB Joe Wisniewski in the end zone for a safety at the beginning of the third quarter.
“I was proud of our defensive effort. We played physical against a strong team”, said Cranes Head Coach Ben Jones.
Cranbrook would find the end zone with an 11-yard pass by sophomore QB Shane Wittenberg. He found senior WR Jacob Peruski for a touchdown at the 4:14 mark in the third quarter.
But the Pioneers would strike back, marching down the field to score on a 2-yard run by junior RB Nicolas Holdsclaw with: 57 left in the period.
Cranbrook held a 9-7 lead at the beginning of the fourth quarter.
Midway through the fourth quarter, the Cranes would score on a 28-yard run from RB Jack Fairman to extend the lead to 15-7.
Fairman finished the game with 120 yards rushing on 18 carries.
The Crane defense would stifle the Pioneer attack, allowing no points and only a few yards on each ensuing drive.
Two coffin corner punts by junior punter Chase Paulus helped to seal the victory.
“Richard fought hard and hung tough” said Coach Jones. “They are a well-coached team.”
The Cranes now turn to face Dearborn Divine Child at home in another divisional AA matchup in Week 4 prep action.