NORTH ROBINSON — Colonel Crawford picked up a big home playoff win on Saturday night over Oregon Cardinal Stritch. The Eagles, seeded seventh in Division VI, Region 22, blanked the Cardinals 50-0, fueled by a 36-point first half despite the rainy weather.
“I think the rain dictated that. We always like to run the ball, but on these rainy nights it’s nice to go under center,” Colonel Crawford head coach Ryan Teglovic said.
On the first drive of the game, Colonel Crawford (10-1) marched down the field, converted a fourth down and hit pay dirt at the 7:55 mark. Matt Clinard bounced to the left side and converted an 8-yard run into six points.
Clinard carried the football six times for 72 yards.
The Eagles’ defense would step up and pick up a fourth down stop. On the ensuing possession, Colonel Crawford scored on a 3-yard touchdown run as Lincoln Mollenkopf powered up the middle with 55 seconds left in the opening period to push the lead to 14-0.
Parker Ketterman forceed a safety at the 10:29 mark of the second quarter that gave the Eagles a 16-0 cushion. Just a couple of plays later, Eagles quarterback Kamryn Lohr hit Carter Valentine on a short pass and Valentine turned on the jets, streaking up the left sideline for a 62-yard touchdown that extended the advantage to 23-0 with 10:11 left before halftime.
Lohr was 3-for-3 passing and finished with 91 yards.
Mollenkopf put together two tough runs in the second quarter that both resulted in scores. Colonel Crawford’s single-season rushing leader hit from 11 and 23 yards to give his team a 36-0 halftime lead.
At the 6:13 mark of the third period, Mollenkopf collected his fourth touchdown of the game. The senior got to the outside and would not be caught, scoring from 34 yards out.
On the night, Mollenkopf piled up 190 yards on 21 carries.
Colonel Crawford added one last touchdown with just over a minute left in the game. On fourth-and-1, Tanner Dyer scored off the half back toss to the left side. The second half was quick due to the running clock implemented by the OHSAA.
“Offensively, we have put up good numbers all year long. Tonight was more of the same,” Teglovic said. “On wet nights like tonight you have to take your yardage in smaller chunks. We will take our 8 to 10 yard runs too.”
The Eagles out-gained the Cardinals 390-48 in total yardage. Cardinal Stritch had minus-7 yards rushing compared to 300 on the ground for the Eagles.
“Happy with how we played and it sets up a big one next week,” Teglovic said.
Colonel Crawford will travel to play No. 2 seed Ashland Crestview (11-0) next Saturday night. Crestview rolled past Northwood 42-7 on Saturday night.
