Mustangs out on downs on final possession

By Debbie Raney
Burns Times-Herald

Just two points ended  Crane’s football season two weeks earlier than the Mustangs would have liked, as the Mohawk Indians beat the Mustangs in quarterfinal action, 40-42, on Saturday, Nov. 21.

Playing at Willamette High School in Eugene, the Mustangs and Indians went helmet to helmet for four even quarters. In the end, Mohawk made one final defensive stop during the last two minutes of the game, forcing Crane to a four-and-out and sealing the advancement to the semi-finals.

During Saturday’s game, the lead switched sides of the scoreboard seven times. The Indians were first to score, going ahead 12-0 in the first quarter.

The Mustangs came alive at the top of the second quarter, with their momentum starting on a Kenny Haworth interception. Crane went 36 yards in four plays, capped off by a three-yard sprint up the middle by Ryan Opie for the Mustangs’ first touchdown of the game. Blake Steeves pulled Crane to within four points grabbing the conversion pass.

Crane’s Milton Merritt booted the ensuing kickoff into the end zone, giving Mohawk a long field. Following a fumbled pitch, and a sack by Haworth, the Indians were forced to punt.

At Mohawk’s 33, Opie dropped back to pass and found Royal Henricks open on the 14. Henricks had a clear path to the end zone, and the Mustangs had a 14-12 lead, at 7:17 in the second.

The Indians’ Cord Wilkins went to the air on Mohawk’s next drive, and in nine plays, they were on the 1-yard line. One final push through the middle had the Indians regaining the lead. With a two-point run by Dillan Tuyls, Mohawk was up 20-14, with 2:30 to play in the first half.

The Mustangs began their next possession on their own 25. Henricks broke open at mid-field with only one Indian defending. Crane’s front line gave Opie time to fire a pass to Henricks, and it was a footrace in for the score. At 2:14, the score was tied at 20.

Mohawk started their next drive on their own 37, but three penalties resulted in a line of scrimmage on their own 6-yard line. During a hand-off, the ball was fumbled, and Steeves dove on it for Crane. The Mustangs took a 26-20 lead into halftime.

Mohawk was first on offense as the third quarter started, beginning on their own 20. On the first snap, Henricks recovered an Indian fumble and Crane was in possession on the Indian 23.

After a short gain by Cole Maupin, Steeves ran an out-route to the right side. Opie stepped into the pocket and was on target for another Crane touchdown. Forty-seven seconds into the third, the Mustangs spread their lead to 34-20, as Henricks ran in the conversion.

The shift then went back to Mohawk’s advantage. The Mustangs picked up two penalties, allowing the Indians to have a first down on the 18. A pass from Wilkins to Matt York brought Mohawk to within six, 34-28.

On the next drive, Opie was intercepted by the Indian’s C.J. Vian. Two minutes, and six plays later, Wilkins finished the possession with a 2-yard run to the end zone. The score was tied at 34, until a two-point conversion pass from Wilkins to Anthony Wallace put Mohawk ahead.

The fourth quarter began at a score of 36-34, Crane trailing.

The Mustang defense held Mohawk on the Indian’s first offensive attempt in the fourth, taking over on downs on the 50-yard line. After picking up two first downs on receptions by Pete Joyce and Maupin, the Mustangs were on their own 5-yard line. At 7:34, Crane regained the lead in the game with a pass from Opie to Henricks, in the right corner.

The lead didn’t last long. After two short rushing plays, the Indians were on their own 26-yard line. Wilkins once again found York open, and Mohawk scored the final touchdown of the day on a 74-yard pass.

Crane had two final offensive attempts, but was stopped with an interception and a four-and-out.

1     2     3    4  Final
Cra          0    26    8       6     40
Moh        12    8     16    6    42
First quarter
Moh—Wilkins 3 run (pass failed) 4:30.
Moh—Tuyls 21 pass from Wilkins (pass failed).
Second quarter
Cra—Opie 3 run (Steeves pass) 8:12.
Cra—Henricks 33 pass from Opie (pass failed) 7:17.
Moh—Wilkins 1 run (Tuyls run) 2:30.
Cra—Henricks 75 pass from Opie (run failed) 2:14.
Cra—Steeves fumble recovery (run failed) 58.7.
Third quarter
Cra—Steeves 22 pass from Opie (Henricks run) 11:13.
Moh—York 18 pass from Wilkins (Wilkins run) 9:20.
Moh—Wilkins 5 run (Wallace pass) 6:26.
Fourth quarter
Cra—Henricks 5 pass from Opie (pass failed) 7:34.
Moh—York 74 pass from Wilkins (pass failed) 6:13.
Individual statistics
Rushing—Joyce 6-16, Opie 14-45, Haworth 5-19, Maupin 4-11, Henricks 1-3.
Passing—Opie 23-15-2-296.
Receiving—Maupin 4-76, Henricks 6-141, Steeves 2-25, Joyce 2-26, Haworth 1-28.
Fumble recovery—Steeves 1, Henricks 1.
Fumbles lost—Crane 1, Mohawk 2.
Tackles for loss—Merritt 3, Joyce 1, Steeves 1, Henricks 1.
Sacks—Haworth 1.
Penalties—Crane 6-45 1/2, Mohawk 9-95.
First downs—Crane 7, Mohawk 12.