Athletic News

Crown College entered the 2008 campaign coming off the programs first ever winning season the year before. Considering that Crown had started football as a club sport in 1984, the first winning season was a big act to follow for the 2008 Storm. The Storm very young in 2008, with their roster being comprised overwhelmingly of freshman and sophomores. Only five seniors were on the team for Crown.

During the summer the captains and team decided that they wanted to have another winning season, a better record than in 2007, and win the UMAC championship. The Storm successfully completed two of their three season goals. They narrowly missed winning the conference title, but did successfully finish above .500 for the second year in a row. Crown in 2008 would also best the 2007 campaign’s mark of 5-4 with a record of 6-4.

 The season started out very slowly for the Storm. Crown stumbled to a 1-3 mark after a loss on homecoming to Northwestern College. That game would effectively decide the 2008 UMAC championship. Crown outplayed Northwestern College for 54 minutes and built a 34-24 lead. It could have been much worse as the Eagles had one touchdown set up by an interception return to the Storm five yard line, and benefited with two controversial fumble calls being decided in their favor. A victory was looking very promising for Crown late in the game. Unfortunately, Northwestern would score on a one play 68 yard pass, and then after the Crown offense churned off four minutes, they would march 74 yards and score with 0:18 to play for a 38-34 win.

Despite the tough loss, the game proved to be the turning point for Crown. The following week the Storm traveled to Duluth, MN and played against St. Scholastica in their first ever home football game and homecoming. Over 3500 people were in attendance to watch the Storm’s dismantling of the Saints. Crown led 41-6 at half time and coasted to an easy 51-13 victory. In week six Crown would defeat UM-Morris for the second year in a row. Morris ran all over Crown and led 21-7 with only 0:02 to play in the third quarter. Crown would pull off a miraculous comeback, taking a 28-21 lead and then stripping the Cougars at the one yard line with just one minute to play. The next week Crown would stretch their streak to three in a row with their biggest win of the year against Martin Luther College. MLC had traditionally dominated the series with Crown, but the Storm came from behind late for their second win in the last three years. The play of the season came on 3rd and 16 at the MLC 43 with time running off the clock and Crown trailing 35-33. Starting quarterback Adam Hayes (So. Chinook, Mont.) ran a draw though a massive alley set up by his offensive line, and then made some nifty moves to pick up 18 yards and a first down at the MLC twenty-five. A couple of plays later Lemone Johnson (Sr. Boston, Mass.) would carry it up the middle for 10 yards and score with just 0:16 to play in the game. Crown won the game 41-35, and MLC went on to finish with a very solid 7-3 record. The Storm made quick work of Minot St. Botineau on Senior Day, the next Saturday. Crown began resting starter’s midway through the second quarter, and led 40-0 by halftime. The Storm went on to beat the Lumberjacks 52-20. Considering that Crown had never won more than four games before 2007, a four game winning streak was something to be very proud of for the 2008 Storm. Crown went into the Metrodome flying high with a chance to avenge their only league defeat to Northwestern. However, the Storm would convert on just one of six drives that made it inside the Eagle 30, and fall woefully 44-7. A disappointed team traveled to Trinity for their final game. The snow on the ground made it a special day for Crown. The Storm topped 40 in the first half for the third time this year, and won 61-20. After a poor beginning Crown won 5 out of 6, and captured their first ever six win season.

The 2008 UMAC runner-ups accomplished many things statistically. They broke their season record of 315 total points in 2007 with 335 in 2008. As an offense the Storm rushed for a stellar 1612 yards on the ground and 24 touchdowns. Lemone Johnson accounted for 968 rushing yards himself. Lemone also led the team in touchdowns with 14. The team threw for 2169 yards on the season. Adam Hayes threw for 1880 of them in 9 starts. Drew Milner (Jr. Sheridan, WY) was big for the receiving corps scoring 13 touchdowns on the season. Nate Richter (Jr. Wadena, MN) led the team in solo and assisted tackles with 46 and 59 respectively. He was followed closely in solo tackles by his cousin, defensive captain Jay McCoy (Sr. Maple Plain, MN), who had 41.  Marquise Dixon (So. Atlanta, GA) became known as a shutdown corner in 2008 with 14 pass breakups and 1 interception.    

Nationally, the Storm faired very well in 2008. Adam Hayes finished the season ranked 20th in the nation for passing efficiency. Lemone Johnson finished a respectable 35th in the nation in scoring. Nate Richter finished 26th in the nation for tackles and tied for 39th in tackles for loss.  Drew Milner ranked 42nd nationally in all-purpose yards for Crown. The highest national ranking came for the offensive line. The offensive line returned all five starters in 2008 and was led by Senior, captain and returning All-UMAC players in Josh Prokosch (Sr. Brooklyn Park, MN) and Casey Reeves (Sr. North Bend, OR). The offensive line ranked 9th in the nation for sacks allowed, with just 0.67 allowed per game.

Overall the 2008 campaign was one to be very proud of for the Storm football team. The seniors leave on two straight winning campaigns. One winning season could have been a flash in the pan, but this group of seniors leaves a legacy to be proud of. Undoubtedly, the Crown football team will grow and prosper to greater heights in future. The team of 2008 went a long way in paving the path for tomorrow.