Key turnovers at inopportune time spoiled a solid effort by the Maple Grove High School football team last Friday in its home game against sixth ranked Champlin Park.
In a rematch of last year’s state quarterfinal battle, the Crimson had 311 yards in offense compared to 184 for Champlin Park, but they hurt themselves with three costly turnovers and the Rebels escaped with a 15-8 win. Champlin Park first-year coach Mike Korton thus earned a victory over his former coach Craig Hansen. Korton played for Osseo in 1988 and 1989 when Hansen was the Orioles’ offensive line coach.
“We were moving the ball but we had a couple of turnovers that gave them good field position and they capitalized on that,” Hansen said. “You can’t do that against a good team like Champlin Park.”
The game started in favor of the Crimson as they jumped to an 8-0 lead. In the first quarter, Crimson senior linebacker Jeff Jarvis pressured Rebel quarterback Dan Skelly in the end zone, forcing Skelly to throw the ball to no-man’s land. Skelly was called for intentional grounding and Maple Grove took a 2-0 lead.
Crimson quarterback Mitch Brecke then broke a 20-yard TD run in the second quarter. The extra point kick failed but the Crimson were up 8-0.
The Rebels got back into the game late in the first half when Skelly recovered a Maple Grove fumble on the Crimson 9. Champlin Park capitalized as Skelly scored on a 7-yard TD run and ran in the 2-point conversion with 3:45 left in the half to force an 8-8 halftime lead.
The second half was a grind it out affair. Maple Grove took six minutes off the clock on its first possession but could not sustain the drive. The Rebels came back with a long drive and finished it when running back Adam Schiesl rambled 15 yards for the winning touchdown.
The Crimson took up another five and one-half minutes in their first fourth quarter possession. The Crimson got as close as the 3-yard line but could not punch it through.
"We moved the ball well but we needed to finish and score," Hansen said. "We would made good plays and we would get into scoring positions and their defense changed and we didn't adjust well."
That turned out to be Maple Grove's last possession as the Rebels got the ball back with 6 minutes left and proceeded to eat up the clock.
"Each team had the ball only twice in the second half," Rebels coach Korton said. "We did a nice job of picking up first downs and controlling the ball."
Hansen was pleased with his team's effort. "Our defense did a good job and did a lot of good things," Hansen said. "Champlin Park is a fine club and without a doubt the most physical team we've played yet. We had costly mistakes at the wrong times. Give Champlin Park credit. They did a good job and did not make mistakes. I was proud of our kids. We were competitive and we are improving."
Brecke completed 11 of 23 passes for 195 yards passing and led the ground game with 44 yards on 12 rushes. Gregg Martin had 7 receptions for 157 yards. Ryan Iskierka had 43 yards on 7 runs and Holland had 29 yards on 8 runs. Jarvis had two quarterback sacks and one safety and junior safety Chase Mudd and senior linebacker Todd Frykman each had 9 tackles.
The Crimson next Osseo Friday, Sept. 19.