by Jeremy Benson, GrandRiverConference.com
Sponsored by
Albany 58 St. Joseph Christian 48
Albany and St. Joseph Christian started conference play in the GRC West on Friday night after winning both non-conference games. It was an unexpected matchup of unbeaten teams. The Albany Warriors have had to replace a talented roster, including all-state quarterback Kemper Cline. They knocked off #4 East Atchison to bring their record to 2-0. The St. Joseph Christian Lions came into the season with one win in their last five seasons. They doubled that win total in just two games this season by knocking off DeKalb and Stewartsville-Osborn.
The game started with both teams going three and out on their first possessions. After Albany punted on their second possession, the Lions were able to capitalize on a 2-yard touchdown run from Cy Carlson. Carlson appeared to be stopped but reversed course to reach the end zone. There were two big passes on the drive. Levi Miller connected with Vail Freuchting on a 37-yard reception after Mason Stewart hit Shaden Morris for 34 yards.
After Albany turned it over on downs, the Lions were driving again, when quarterback Levi Miller went down with an apparent knee injury. Stewart took the reigns behind center. But with 17 seconds left in the 1st quarter, Elliot Mercer stripped Stewart of the ball on a run, and Albany took over as the quarter ended with the Lions leading 8-0.
The Warriors scored early in the 2nd quarter when Chase Cline ran it in from 9 yards. After the conversion, it was 8-8. The Lions answered when Stewart connected with Freuchting from 9 yards out to make it 14-8 with 6:58 left. Kyle Emerson would then score his first touchdown of the night after he broke about 10 tackles (slight exaggeration) and streaked down the sideline for a 39-yard TD reception. It was 14-14 with 5:48 left.
After a Carlson fumble, Albany scored again when Cline connected with Emerson on a 27-yard TD reception to make it 22-14 with 4:34 left. The Lions would fumble a 3rd time, but would stop the Warriors at the 6-yard line to keep the score at 22-14 going into the half.
The Lions started the 2nd half with the ball, but a couple of penalties put them in a 4th and long situation that forced them to punt. Emerson took advantage by returning the punt 39 yards for his 3rd TD of the night. Warriors led 30-14 with 11:12 left in the 3rd quarter.
The Lions would start chipping away at the lead. With 6:55 left, Miller (who returned in the 2nd half) shoveled a pass to Logan Hubble, scoring from 13 yards out. After a conversion, it was 30-22 Albany. The Lions would stop the Warriors on the next possession and force them to punt. A bad snap by Albany gave St. Joseph Christian the ball at the Albany 6. Stewart ran it in from the 6 on the next play to make it 30-28 Albany with 5:27 left.
Whenever Albany needed a big play, Kyle Emerson came up big. And this was no exception. It appeared that the Lions had the momentum, but on the next offensive play, Emerson scored from 45 yards to put the Warriors back up by 8 (36-28). Both teams would be stalled on their next possessions, so the 3rd quarter ended with the Warriors up by 8.
With 9 minutes left in the game, Albany struck again when Cline found Emerson wide open on a 4th and 10. It was Emerson's 5th touchdown of the night. Albany led 44-28. After stopping the Lions on the next possession, Albany scored again. This time, Quentin Hurkman had a 5-yard run to make it 52-28.
It looked like Albany was running away with it, but the Lions would not go away. Miller connected with Freuchting from 38 yards with 6:58 left to make it 52-34. Then Miller connected with Carlson on a short reception inside the 10-yard line with 3:37 left to make it 52-40.
Albany would get their final score when Elliot Mercer ran it in from 17 yards with 2:48 left. The Lions would answer. Cy Carlson got them inside the 10-yard line on a long catch and run. Then Miller connected with Freuchting again for his 4th touchdown of the night. This one was from 4 yards with 2:28 left. Albany would recover the onside kick and run out the clock to win 58-28.
Here is postgame coverage on the GRC Blog with interviews from both coaches and a discussion with Jered Rolves of Albany TV.
Here are photos that I took at the game.
Here is the broadcast of the game from Albany TV.
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