LocalSportsJournal.com
The Muskegon Catholic football team ended its four-year Lakes 8 Conference champion run, falling to Manistee 35-27 on Friday night.
The Chippewas clinched an outright Lakes 8 crown with the win, improving to 7-0 on the season and 4-0 in 
league play.
The game remained close during the first half with the score 7-7 after the first quarter and 21-21 at halftime.
Manistee had a 28-21 advantage heading into the fourth quarter before closing the game with a 7-6 run during the final stanza.
MCC tied the game 7-7 with 1:56 left in the first quarter on a one-yard run by Solomon Waller.
The Crusaders grabbed their first lead of the night during the second, overcoming a 14-7 deficit with a 21-yard touchdown pass from Max Price to Dane Rutz and a 69-yard completion from Price to Nolan Convertini to give MCC a 21-14 advantage late in the first half.
The Chippewas scored 21 unanswered points to take a 35-21 advantage with 8:07 left in the contest.
MCC closed out the scoring with 1:29 left on a two-yard completion from Price to Dawson Steigman.
The Crusaders were led by Price, who threw for 173 yards on 10-for-17 passing and three touchdown.
Convertini caught four passes for 114 yards and a touchdown while Rutz added three receptions for 40 yards and a score.
MCC was paced defensively by Waller and Rutz with nine tackles apiece.
The Crusaders dropped their record to 3-4 on the season and 2-2 in league play. They will host Benton Harbor next Friday.
