CROOKSTON RUNS WILD IN 28-6 WIN OVER PILLAGER ON SENIOR NIGHT

The Crookston Pirates Football team used their best rushing game of the season with their first four rushing touchdowns of the season to defeat the Pillager Huskies 28-6 on Senior Night in Crookston.  “Our hope is that we keep getting better and progress throughout the season,” said Pirate Coach Nate Lubarski.  “I think we played a very good game today.”

FIRST-QUARTER –
It was all Crookston in the opening quarter of play. Crookston received the opening kickoff and started on their own 45-yard line after the short kick. The Pirates took advantage and got their first rushing touchdown of the season as Ethan Boll bounced a run outside for a 20-yard touchdown. Boll had two other first downs on the drive and would also convert the two-point conversion giving Crookston an 8-0 lead with 6:35 remaining in the first quarter. “We were happy with the way we came out offensively and it starts with the guys up front,” said Coach Lubarski. “Ethan ran the ball hard and that was nice to see.”  The Crookston defense came out firing just like the offense. After forcing a three-and-out, Ethan Boll flashed through the line to block a Huskies punt. Jacob Hesby fell on the ball giving the Pirates the football on the Huskies 19-yard line. “Anytime you get a play that changes momentum in the special teams game is going to be a big play,” said Coach Lubarski. “It was a big play and nice to see those guys make a big play.”  Three plays later, Hesby went straight up the middle for Crookston’s second rushing touchdown of the game, this time an eight-yard run. The two-point conversion would fail to give the Pirates a 14-0 lead with 3:24 left in the opening quarter. “Nice to see Jacob healthy,” said Coach Lubarski.  Pillager got good field position on their own 40-yard line after a short kick and put together a nice drive. The Huskies would pick up two first downs before facing a third down and seventeen on the Pirates 32-yard line as the first quarter ended.

SECOND-QUARTER –
The Huskies would get it to a fourth down and seven and go for it. An illegal block in the back on the fourth-down play would push Pillager to a fourth down and 13 instead. The Huskies would still go for it and be tackled well short of the first down giving the Pirates the football on their own 30-yard line. Crookston would immediately face a short fourth down inside their own territory. The Pirates would call a quarterback sneak with Jack Doda to pick up the first down. A few plays later, on a third down, the Pirates would go to the air, and George Widman would make a leaping catch downfield for a 29-yard gain on a pass from Jack Doda. That catch would keep the drive alive, but the Huskies’ defense tightened up and forced Crookston into another fourth down, this time a fourth and 15. Jack Doda rolled out to pass and slipped on the wet turf, giving the ball back to the Huskies on their own 45-yard line. The drive lasted over six minutes as Pillager would take over with just 4:23 remaining in the first half. Pillager went another nice drive, thanks to a few good runs from Elijah Miller and Quinton Laveau. This time it would result in points for the Huskies, as Elijah Miller would take a handoff, cut back through an opening and find the end zone from the Pirates four-yard line. The two-point conversion would fail, cutting the Pirate lead down to eight at 14-6. The touchdown run for the Huskies came with just 51 seconds remaining in the half not leaving much time for the Pirates to move the ball down the field. Crookston elected to run the remaining time off the clock and take a 14-6 lead into halftime. After a strong start for the Pirates, the Huskies fought back and the stats in the first half were identical as far as total yards go. Both teams had 119 total yards of offense with Pillager doing it all on the ground.  “You can’t not be happy with a lead at halftime,” said Coach Lubarski. “I really enjoyed making some halftime adjustments and the guys were coming with what they were seeing to help with our adjustments.”

THIRD-QUARTER –
Crookston controlled the second half of play and never gave the Huskies much of a chance. The Huskies received the second-half kickoff and after a nice return would take over on their own 43-yard line. Pillager would face a quick fourth down and would convert to extend the drive. A few plays later, Pillager would be tasked with another fourth down, this time a fourth down and five. The Huskies would be stopped thanks to a huge hit from Brooks Butt. The Pirates would take over on their own 40-yard line for their first drive of the second half with 6:56 remaining in the third quarter. Two plays later Ethan Boll broke a 55-yard touchdown run for his second score of the game and the Pirates’ third rushing touchdown on the night. The two-point conversion would fail but Crookston would take a 20-6 lead with 6:03 remaining in the third quarter.  “Ethan looked really good tonight and his patience paid off on that play and he did a perfect job of following Jaren Bailey,” said Coach Lubarski.  Pillager would fumble on their next possession and Cade DeLeon would fall on the loose ball giving the Pirates excellent field position on the Huskies’ 33-yard line as they would try and put the game out of reach. The Huskies’ defense came up with a needed stop and would force the Pirates’ first punt of the game. A 27-yard punt from Brooks Butt would give Pillager the football back on their own 11-yard line late in the third quarter.

FOURTH-QUARTER –
Pillager would once again gain a few first downs, but would eventually turn the ball over on downs. Crookston’s defense once again did enough to get a big stop giving their offense the football back on the Huskies 44-yard line with 10:22 to play in the game. Pillager wouldn’t go away, however, as they forced another Pirates punt. This time Brooks Butt would pin the Huskies inside their own 10-yard line with a beautiful punt, as the Pirates continued to win the field position battle. Butt’s great punt paid off for the Pirates, as the Crookston defense once again forced the Huskies into another turnover on downs, this time inside their own 10-yard line setting up the Pirates for a great scoring chance. A few plays later, Ethan Boll completed the hat trick with his third rushing touchdown of the night with a seven-yard run. “The defense stepped up for us today and our defense line solidified some things,” said Coach Lubarski. “And the defense set up that last touchdown for us.”  Like his first rushing touchdown, Boll also converted the two-point conversion giving the Pirates their biggest lead of the game at 28-6 and putting the game out of reach with 4:58 remaining. Neither offense would score the rest of the game and Ethan Bowman would intercept a Huskies pass on the final play of the game to secure the 28-6 victory. Crookston didn’t have a rushing touchdown coming into the game and ended the game with four. Ethan Boll had three rushing touchdowns and Jacob Hesby had one to lead the way.  “It was a nice all-around game for the guys,” said Coach Lubarski.  “We played hard, everybody was doing their job and we are really happy to get the win on Senior Night and for us to have those guys come out here and get the win to reward them for all the work they put into the program is great.”

Crookston improves to 2-5 on the season with the win and will travel to Staples to take on Staples-Motley in the regular-season finale. The kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. Wednesday night, October 20, and the game can be heard on KROX.
Pillager falls to 0-7 with the loss.

1st quarter
6:35 – Crox – Ethan Boll 20 yard run (Ethan Boll run)
3:24 – Crox – Jacob Hesby 8 yard run (pass failed)

2nd Quarter
0:51 – Pillager – Elijah Miller 4 yard run (run failed)

3rd quarter
6:03 – Crox – Ethan Boll 55 yard run (run failed)

4th quarter
4:58 – Crox – Ethan Boll 7 yard run (Boll run)

INDIVIDUAL STATS

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