Storm Earn Trip to UMAC Championship Game
The Crown College football team traveled to New Ulm, MN on Saturday, October 18, to play the Martin Luther Knights. The winner of the game would clinch the two seed for the UMAC championship game against Northwestern College. Crown would not let Storm Nation down, and won the game over MLC in heart stopping fashion. The UMAC championship game will be played at the HHH Metrodome on October 31st at 8 pm.
The MLC vs. Crown game would prove to be a battle from start to finish. The defenses controlled the first quarter, and the game headed into the second quarter tied 0-0. MLC struck first blow with a 2 yard touchdown run which gave them a 7-0 lead. Crown answered the Knights with a drive that culminated with a 4 yard touchdown run by Lemone Johnson (Sr. Boston, Mass.) to tie the game 7-7. After a defensive stop, the Storm scored again to pull in front 14-7. This time the score would be on a 17 yard pass from Adam Hayes (So. Chinook, Mont.) to Drew Milner (Jr. Sheridan, Wyo.). With two minutes left in the half, Hayes would hook up with Milner again for a touchdown. The 37 yard pass stretched the Storm lead to a comfortable 21-7. However, the cushion would be quickly deflated by the Knights. MLC would score on a 15 yard pass, and head into half-time with score at 21 to 14.
In the second half MLC received the ball first. They took full advantage, and marched down the field to tie the game at 21-21. The Storm responded late in the quarter with a 20 yard run by Lemone Johnson. Unfortunately, the extra point bounced off of the upright, and the game stood at 27-21 in favor of Crown. MLC answered the score in just one play. A 59 yard run put the Knights back on top 28-27. Crown answered the one play drive by MLC with a one play drive of their own. For the third time during the game, Adam Hayes would connect with Drew Milner for a touchdown. This connection would go for 64 yards. Crown was stopped on the two-point attempt, and the quarter ended with them leading 33-28.
MLC scored early in the fourth to go back ahead 35-33. The touchdown was the fourth between the two schools in just 4 minutes and 39 seconds of game time. Both defenses would get stops, and then the Crown offense would take the field at their own twenty yard line with 5:44 to play in the game. Crown moved the ball well at first, but was faced with a 3rd and 16 at the MLC forty-three with time running out on their chances. Adam Hayes ran a quarterback 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 would carry it up the middle for 10 yards and score with just 0:16 to play in the game. Hayes would hit Steve Boger (So. Cokato, Minn.) for the two-point conversion and Crown would hold a 41-35 advantage over MLC. The Knights took the field, hoping for a miracle but Nate Richter (Jr. Wadena, Minn.) intercepted the pass, sealing the victory for Crown.
Crown outgained MLC 482-392 on the day. On the ground the Storm were lead by Lemone Johnson’s 28 carries for 121 yards and 3 touchdowns. Adam Hayes led the aerial attack, throwing 19 of 26 for 335 yards and 3 touchdowns. Drew Milner had a monster day, catching 8 balls for 206 yards and 3 touchdowns. Nate Richter lead the Storm defense with 3 solo tackles, 7 assisted, and 1 interception.
The Storm (4-3, 3-1) next play at home against Minot St Bottineau on October 25th at 1pm.
