It was a performance Maple Grove football coach Craig Hansen had been waiting for seven weeks. The Crimson, who had been plagued by inconsistent play all season, put it all together in routing Park Center 40-7 Wednesday, Oct. 14.
“It was a real complete game,” Hansen said. “Offense, defense, special teams. Everything was clicking.”
The Crimson put it away early with a 21-point first quarter. They scored on their first possession in five plays. Quarterback Mitch Brecke hit receiver Greg Martin with a 27-yard pass, running back Ryan Gust dashed 22 yards and running back Ryan Iskierka finished it with a 3-yard touchdown run.
Park Center fumbled the ensuing kickoff. Maple Grove recovered and scored in four plays with Brecke and Martin hooking up for a 38-yard TD pass.
The Crimson defense held and Brecke and Martin went to work again, this time connecting for a 20-yard TD pass. Matt Shuba kicked three extra points and it was 21-0.
Maple Grove poured it on with 12 points in the second quarter. Brecke rushed for a 3-yard TD run, the Crimson scored on a safety and Shuba kicked a 37-yard field goal to make it 33-0 at halftime.
The Crimson took it easy in the second half and scored once on a Brecke to Josh Laurent 33-yard TD pass play.
Brecke had his second strong passing night, completing five of seven passes for 147 yards with three touchdowns. Martin caught five passes for 123 yards and Laurent and one for 34. Iskierka led the ground game with 59 yards on 10 carries and Gust followed with 55 yards on 12 runs.
Defensively, linebacker Luke Greder, Brandon Barth, end Jordan Muro and defensive back Ryan Schulz ignited a strong effort.
“The defense played like their old self with great pursuit and great hitting.”
The special teams excelled with Schulz and Laurent returning kicks and punts effectively, Shuba booming extra points and field goals with authority and the coverage team clamping down on Pirate returners.
The top performance of the season could not have come at a better time for the Crimson, who are seeded third as they open defense of their section championship.
They played No. 6 Osseo Tuesday, Oct. 22. The winner advances to play at No. 2 Buffalo Saturday, Oct. 26. Wayzata is the No. 1 seed.