Maple Grove's bid for its first football victory fell just short as Champlin Park escaped Osseo's Carl Tonn Field with a 21-19 win Friday. Sept. 19, at Osseo.

The Rebels rallied from a 13-0 second quarter deficit and seemingly took control of the game in the second half, only to see the Crimson come back with a touchdown with 9 seconds left in regulation. But junior tackle Luke Skelly sacked Maple Grove quarterback C.J. Woodrow on the two-point attempt to preserve the win.

For most of the first half, it appeared the Rebels would become the victims of second-year Maple Grove's first-ever football victory. The Crimson, spurred on by a large home crowd for their first homecoming, dominated early and scored midway in the first quarter on a 48-yard option run off left end by Woodrow.

The Crimson defense forced a Champlin Park punt and threatened again with the ball on the Rebels 45. Fullback Kyle Olson busted for a 37-yard run on first down to put the ball at the Champlin Park 8. Three plays later, the Crimson advanced to the Rebel 1 and went for the touchdown. However, the Rebel defense stuffed the middle on the fourth and goal dive by Olson and kept the score 7-0.

Maple Grove's defense came right back to give the offense another crack. On third and long. Rebel quarterback John Stock's throw was tipped and Crimson sophomore defensive back Mike Behr intercepted the ball at the Rebel 11. The Crimson didn't waste Behr's second interception in two games and cashed in Woodrow hit tight end Jason Amundson with an 8-yard pass on first down and senior back Justin Lehman swept right for a 3-yard TD run. The extra point kick fell short, however, and that miss proved big later on in the game.

The Rebels gained some momentum back late in the first half when Stock lofted a high pass to junior Phil Rumsey on a second and long play at the Rebels' 18. Facing one-on-one coverage. Rumsey jumped high into the air to come down with the ball near midfield and out ran the Crimson secondary for an 82 yard TD play. The kick made the halftime score 13.7 Maple Grove and the Rebels were back into the game.

INTERCEPTION

Champlin Park took the lead early in the third quarter. On Maple Grove's first drive. Rebel junior cornerback Brian Marfiz intercepted a pass and returned it to the Crimson 11. The Rebels needed three plays to score. Stock powered for 8 yards, and junior fullback Joe Haugen ran the final 2 yards for the TD and the extra point kick by Pender put the Rebels up to stay 14-13.

The Rebels now had all the momentum and they launched a 90-yard, I6-play TD drive that took about 7 minutes off the clock from midway of the third quarter to early in the fourth quitter. The Rebel offensive line completely dominated action on this drive as the Rebels. especially Stock, managed to consistently get 6 to 7 yards on first downs. Finally, facing fourth-and-six on the Maple Grove 28, Stock threw a screen pass to junior tailback Cavan Scheer. who displayed some fancy footwork to zigzag his way into the end zone for an exciting touchdown run. Pender's kirk gave Champlin Park a 21-13 lead a with about 8 minutes left.

The Rebels had another long drive in the fourth quarter but the Crimson defense held and Woodrow led the Crimson back late in the game. He hit several key passes to set up Lehman's 2-yard touchdown run with 9 seconds left The Crimson went for a pass on the two-point conversion but the Rebels had great coverage and Skelly burst through to sack Woodrow on the last play. The Rebels finished with 302 yards of offense compared to 248 for Maple Grove.

The Crimson next visit Roseville Friday. Sept. 26.