QB Jack Fairman gives a hand off to RB Tariq Muhammad in the Cranes loss to U of D Jesuit.
S. Fairman-Photo Credit
The Bloomfield Hills Cranbrook Cranes lost in overtime to the University of Detroit Jesuit Cubs 35-29 on Saturday. The loss is Cranbrook’s first on the season.
U of D’s special teams struck first.
Returning a 41-yard punt by Cranbrook sophomore K/P Chase Paulus, junior WR Carson Hinton went 79-yards on the punt return for a U of D TD at 5:13 in the first quarter.
On the next play from scrimmage, junior RB Tariq Muhammad ripped a 70-yard run to put the ball deep in U of D’s territory for the Cranes. Senior Torrell Williams carried the ball over the goal line from 10 yards out for a Cranbrook TD.
The score stood at 7-7 at the end of the first quarter.
Early in the second period, the Cranbrook defense showed its resolve.
With the Cub offense pinned deep within their territory, Cranbrook senior DT Ahbi Thakur sacked junior QB Donald Johnson in the end zone for a safety. The Cranes took the lead 9-7.
The Cranbrook offense would find daylight on the next drive, completing a 37-yard pass from sophomore QB Jacob Bousamra to senior WR Torrell Williams for another Cranbrook TD.
But U of D would take advantage of a botched special teams play, and intercepted a Cranbrook pass in the end zone for a Cubs TD.
The game stood at 16-14 Cranes at the half.
“We were able to do a few things on offense that showed promise in the first half, while our defense played consistently well”, said Cranes Head Coach Scott Steward. “But we know U of D was well-coached and wouldn’t give up easily.”
The Cubs put together a sustained drive in the middle of the third quarter, ending in a 1-yard TD run by Johnson for a score. The two-point conversion was successful for U of D on another Johnson run.
The Cubs led 22-16 at the end of the third period.
Early in the fourth quarter, Fairman would find senior WR Kobi Russell in the end zone for a quick Cranes score. A failed PAT left the score tied 22-22.
As the Cubs began to move the ball down the field, the Cranbrook defense stiffened.
LB Jack Fairman intercepted a pass by Johnson and ran it in for a 68-yard TD with 6:49 left to play in the fourth period. Cranbrook led 29-22.
But the Cubs remained focused, and put together another drive to eat up the clock. Junior RB Nick Johnson would tie the game with 24 seconds to play on a 1-yard run.
The game went into overtime with score at 29-29.
U of D won the coin toss and scored on its first possession on another 1-yard run from RB Nick Johnson.
Cranbrook would fail on its attempt to tie the game, giving the Cubs the victory.
“This was a hard fought game with a great effort by both teams,” said Coach Steward. “I congratulate our boys for showing such tenacity in their first AA-Division game.”
Jack Fairman finished 13-22 for 59 yards and 1 passing TD. He also had 8 tackles, a fumble recovery, and interception returned for a TD while playing LB on defense.
Tariq Muhammad ran for 95 yards on 11 carries to lead the Cranes rushing attack.
Kobi Russell had 6 catches for 62 yards and a TD to lead the receivers. Torrell Williams had 4 catches for 59 yards and 1 TD also.
Williams led the defense with 11 tackles, while senior LB Connor Toomey and junior DL William Kerr joined Thakur for QB sacks.
Cranbrook moves on to face Dearborn Divine Child on the road in CHSL AA action next week.