Walled Lake Central misses a last second FG as the Cranes hold on for a narrow 7-6 victory.
(G. Davis-photo credit)
The Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Cranes survived a close game with the Walled Lake Central Vikings, winning a 7-6 victory as time expired. The Cranes move to 3-4 on the season and lead the head-to-head series with the Vikings 3-0.
Junior WR Alex Yolles caught 3 passes for 70 yards and the winning TD in the win for Cranbrook. Senior RB Ethan Peruski led the rushing attack with 104 yards on 18 attempts for the Cranes.
Senior QB Drew Wahls scored the lone touchdown for Walled Lake Central.
The Cranes struck first on a 25-yard pass play from junior QB Preston Washer to Yolles at the 6:54 mark in the 2nd quarter. The extra point attempt by junior K Christos Tzoumakas was good.
Cranbrook led 7-0 at the half.
A defensive struggle emerged in the second half that would provide a photo finish for the contest.
After the Vikings scored on a 2-yard run by Wahls, Peruski blocked the extra point attempt to hold the game at 7-6 in the Cranes favor with 4:21 left to play.
With about a minute to play, Cranbrook sophomore DB Jacob Speller intercepted a pass stopping a Walled Lake Central drive to move Cranbrook closer to the victory.
But the Vikings had one last gasp, intercepting a Cranbrook pass and marching to attempt a 47-yard FG with :42 seconds remaining.
The field goal attempt by senior K Nick Kay was wide right and no good.
The Cranes knelt in victory formation to solidify their narrow 7-6 win.
“We held up against a motivated and prepared Walled Lake team”, said Cranes Head Coach Nick LaFontaine. “Our guys came away with a gusty win. I am very proud of their team effort.”
Cranbrook continues their CHSL divisional schedule next week as they host Riverview Gabriel Richard, while Walled Lake Central travels to face cross-town rivals Walled Lake Northern.