The Cranes fell short against Harper Woods 27-10 in the opening round of the MHSAA playoffs (photo credit- Sarah Fairman)
The Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Cranes were defeated by the Harper Woods Pioneers 27-10 in a MHSAA D4 District semi-final game. This playoff game was a tough defensive struggle that was decided late in the second half.
“The team played great today and left everything on the field, everyone should be proud of them, “said Cranes Head Coach Ben Jones.
The Pioneers opened the scoring on a short run by senior RB Pierce Muthui-Edwards at the 5:11 mark in the 1st qtr. Harper Woods would take this 6-0 lead in to halftime.
“Our defense played well and kept us in the game,” said Jones.
Early in the 3rd qtr. Harper Woods found the end zone on a 74-yard run by senior RB Lemuel Neely Watley to make the score 12-0.
At the 8:14 mark, the Pioneers junior Tyjae Denton found a hole and dashed 37-yards for another Harper Woods score. A 2-point conversion put the score at 20-0.
The Cranes would get the offense in gear on the very next drive, culminating in a 58-yard scamper by senior RB Tariq Muhammad.
A strong defensive effort by the Cranes forced a turnover on downs. Cranbrook would capitalize on a 39-yard Chase Paulus FG.
The score stood at 20-10 at the end of the 3rd qtr.
After a series with both teams punting, the Panthers capitalized on a Crane mishap and scored on a rushing TD by sophomore RB Christian Stokes.
Harper Woods took the lead 27-14, and eventually ran the clock out on the Cranes season.
“We weren’t able to take advantage of their mistakes at the end of the game, “said Jones. “Harper Woods was a well-prepared team and they earned their way to the next round.”
Cranbrook RB Tariq Muhammad had 16 carries for 106 yards. Junior DE Bryce Hall had 9 tackles to lead the defense, while senior LB Jack Fairman had 4 TFL’s.
Harper Woods moves on to meet Country Day in the MHSAA Division 4 Region 4 District 2 Final next week.
Cranbrook finishes the season 5-4, with its sixth straight MHSAA appearance.
The Cranes fell short against Harper Woods 27-10 in the opening round of the MHSAA playoffs (photo credit- Sarah Fairman)