Second-seeded Robbinsdale Armstrong pulled away from stubborn Maple Grove in the fourth quarter and defeated the Crimson 24-7 in a Section 6 football quarterfinal game Tuesday, Oct. 22.

The Crimson actually took a 7-0 lead with an early touchdown run but the Falcons cashed in on a Maple Grove turnover to tie the score later in the first quarter and went ahead to stay with a field goal near the end of the first half.

Maple Grove had a promising drive in the third quarter but was stalled by a costly penalty. Armstrong came back to clinch the victory with two late scores.

"It was a hard loss but Armstrong is an excellent senior-dominated team with good athletes," Crimson coach Craig Hansen said. "We felt we were right in it at halftime. Our defense played great throughout the game. Offensively, we did a number of good things, but we just needed to do more of them."

The loss ended a very encouraging season for the Crimson, who recorded their first two victories while losing eight games.

"It was a very positive season," Hansen said. "Twelve months ago, we knew we needed to become more physical in order to compete with the teams we play. I felt we accomplished that. By midseason we stepped up and played more physical football. We were also more consistent in our play on offense, defense and special team. At times we still need more maturing. I feel we are going into that direction."

The Crimson will graduate 10 seniors who have been with the programs from the start two years ago.

"They were young men who had a choice to stay at Osseo or come here and they decided to take a leap of faith and come into the unknown at Maple Grove," Hansen said. "I think the world of them. They are just a great group of young men who really helped start a new tradition. The tradition that has been established is their great attitude and work ethics. I can't ask for more."

The Crimson will return many top starters who will be a year old and stronger. "We have a nucleus of experienced players back but we need to continue to grow and mature physically," Hansen said. "We have made great strides but we need to start winning the close games and it will come with the maturity."