58°F
weather icon Partly Cloudy

Faith Lutheran shifts to run game in 36-20 victory against Centennial

Faith Lutheran quarterback Sagan Gronauer ran in two touchdowns in the first quarter to set the tone in the Crusaders’ 36-20 road win over Centennial’s football team Friday.

The normally pass-focused Crusaders (5-3, 5-1 Northwest League) gained 270 of their 415 yards on the ground with 74 from Pierce Ellington, 68 from Gronauer, 63 from Saundre Spiller and 53 from Connor Paravia. Gronauer scored four times on the ground and threw one touchdown pass to Peyton Thornton.

Four Faith Lutheran turnovers kept the visiting Bulldogs within striking distance most of the night, including a potential game-tying score a minute into the final quarter.

Centennial trailed 22-14 but had first-and-goal at the Faith Lutheran 9-yard line. The Crusaders stopped a pass attempt and stuffed Centennial quarterback Vlad Plotnikov on a 1-yard run before two penalties and two more errant passes ended the threat.

Kamden Garrett had two interceptions for Centennial (0-7, 0-5), which also got two touchdown passes by Plotnikov, and a fumble recovery return for touchdown by Payton Moody.

Don't miss the big stories. Like us on Facebook.
THE LATEST