Shamrocks make it to State Semi-Finals

The Tekonsha Indians visited Portland on Saturday, November 3rd, and God graced the Shamrock nation with a perfect fall day for a football game. The Shamrocks came prepared for victory and stifled the Indians in a 20-6 victory which propelled the Rocks to the State Semi-finals for the second year in a row.

In the 1st quarter, the Shamrocks got off to a slow start, but still managed to get on the board when Tanner Lawson broke free and caught a 28-yard touchdown pass for Quarterback Connor Cross. Cross connected with Zach Spitzley for the 2-point conversion. They missed a couple of other opportunities and ended the first quarter leading 8-0.

St. Patrick extended their lead in the second quarter when Cross again connected with Lawson, this time for a 61-yard touchdown pass. The two-point conversion failed, leaving the Shamrocks up 14-0. The Indians struck before halftime, when a wide receiver broke open and sprinted 70 yards for a touchdown. The Shamrock defense held on the extra point, and the score was 14-6 at halftime.

The final score of the day came in the 3rd quarter when Ned Smith broke free and scampered for a 60-yard touchdown rush. The two-point conversion failed, leaving the final score 20-6.

The Shamrocks dominated the game on the stat sheet, with the Indians managing 133 total yards, and the Shamrocks totaling 375 yards.

Offensive leaders for the Shamrocks were Connor Cross who went 6 for 13 for 171 yards and 2 touchdowns and rushed for 69 yards. Ned Smith rushed for 129 yards and a touchdown, and Tanner Lawson had 3 catches for 101 yards and 2 touchdowns.

Defensive leaders were Ned Smith with 11 tackles, 2 sacks, and 3 tackles for loss (TFL), Alex Kissane had 13 tackles, Riley Kissane had 11 tackles, and Bret Weller had 9 tackles, 2 sacks, and 2 TFL’s.

Coach Pat Russman was excited about his team’s accomplishment. “We had a great week of practice and it showed today. Our boys played an outstanding defensive game versus a well-coached, strong Tekonsha team. Paul Cook, Riley Kissane, Alex Kissane, John Schneider, Ned Smith and Bret Weller really played outstanding defense all night and kept making plays. Offensively, Tanner Lawson continued to catch the ball and score touchdowns. Connor Cross played a solid game, both passing and running, and Ned Smith was effective especially after we spread their defense out a bit. Our offensive line did a great job providing our QB with time to throw passes, and they opened some great running lanes. I am especially happy for our Seniors, Brett Price, Paul Cook, and Tanner Lawson who won their final home football game.”

The Shamrocks travel north next week to play in Onekama, next Saturday, November 10th at 1 p.m. Onekama had a solid season, going 7-2, losing to two solid teams, Suttons Bay, and Wyoming Tri-Unity Christian.