Local Sports Journal
It took until the fourth quarter before Muskegon Catholic Central gained control of the game and ultimately earned an automatic playoff berth.
The Crusaders trailed host Traverse City St. Francis 13-7 entering the final quarter before scoring a pair of touchdowns to earn a 21-13 victory.
The win improves Muskegon Catholic to 6-3 and an automatic berth in the playoffs after an 0-2 start to the season.
Trailing 13-7 entering the final quarter, quarterback Zach Campbell hit Cari Campbell and the Crusaders would eventually take a 14-13 lead on Jesse Anderson’s 5-yard run.
MCC iced the game by driving 42 yards, which was capped off by Zach Campbell’s fourth down TD run of 3 yards.
“We controlled the ball in the fourth quarter,” Muskegon Catholic coach Mike Holmes said. “We tried to mix things up and that is when Campbell caught his pass.”
Traverse City St. Francis got on the board in the first quarter on Jake Khoury’s 2-yard run.
Muskegon Catholic tied the game before halftime on Cari Campbell’s 68-yard interception return for a touchdown.
Traverse City St. Francis regained the lead 13-7 in the third quarter on Adam Armour’s 4-yard touchdown run.
“We did nothing offensively in the first half,” Holmes said. “In the second half, we played terrific defense, except for one drive.”
Muskegon Catholic only managed 167 yards of total offense, 137 coming on the ground.
Alex Lewandoski led MCC with 17 carries for 66 yards rushing, while Anderson gained 55 yards on seven carries.
Zach Campbell was 1-of-4 passing for 30 yards and Cari Campbell caught one pass for 30 yards.
Joe Mesker led MCC’s defense with 15 tackles, Cari Campbell added 13 tackles and Lewandoski had 11.
Muskegon Catholic 21, TC St. Francis 13
Muskegon Catholic 0 7 0 14 – 21
T.C. St. Francis 7 0 6 0 – 13
TCSF – Jake Khoury 2 run (Austin Currie kick)
MCC – Cari Campbell 68 interception return (Zach Campbell kick)
TCSF – Adam Armour 4 run (kick blocked)
MCC – Jesse Anderson 5 run (Campbell kick)
MCC – Zach Campbell 3 run (Campbell kick)
