Late Defensive Stop Helps Titans Win 13th Football Championship

QB Timmy Crowley (7) stands under center before the play. Photos by Jeff Steers, JTV Sports.

By David Rice | JTV Sports

Sunday, November 26th

It was back and forth all morning in Detroit for the MHSAA D7 Football State Championship, but it was Lumen Christi making the final stop to claim its 13th championship in school history.

Menominee was forced into a 3rd & 9, and recovered the fumbled punt on fourth down to retain the opening possession. Landan Bardowski capped off the drive with a two yard rushing touchdown to make it 8-0 Menominee with 7:14 to play. After a Titans punt, the Maroons doubled up with a 34-yard touchdown reception by Eli Beal to make it 14-0.

Lumen Christi responded with over 40 rushing yards on the next drive by Kadale Williams and a one-yard touchdown to make it 14-7 to open the second quarter.

Menominee QB Trevor Theuerkauf kept it himself on the ground often on Sunday, rushing for plays of 17 and 11 yards on the next drive. A stop by the Titans defense on 4th & 2 gave them the ball back with a chance to tie, and they did. 

Kadale Williams continued to make big plays, like he has all year. Williams scored from 45 yards out to tie it at 14-14 going into the halftime break.

QB Timmy Crowley opened the second half by using his legs to keep it on the ground. A five yard run moved the ball inside the 10-yard line. Crowley snuck it in on 4th & goal to give the Titans a 21-14 lead with 6:35 left in the third quarter. Menominee responded minutes later, a 21-yard QB keeper by Trevor Theuerkauf gave the Maroons a 22-21 lead to end the third quarter. 

Lumen Christi opened the final quarter with a 23-yard run by Williams, followed by a 15-yard run by Issac Rehberg. The run by Rehberg set up a 3-yard touchdown by Williams to make it 27-22 with 11 minutes left. Just under a minute later, Trevor Theuerkauf found Tanner Theuerkauf for a 77-yard touchdown to make it a 30-27 Menominee lead. 

A Kadale Williams 17-yard run, followed by a 14-yard QB keeper moved the ball to the 11-yard line with 4 minutes left in regulation. Gabe King stepped up to make the leading touchdown, catching an 11-yard touchdown to make it 34-30 LC. 

The Titans defense made the last stop with just under two minutes left to seal the game. After 35 yards gained by Menominee, Lumen Christi made the stop on 4th & long to win the game and claim its 13th state championship in school history.

Kadale Williams finished with 276 rushing yards, 3 TDs on 27 carries. QB Timmy Crowley finished 2/6 for 30 yards and 1 TD along with a rushing touchdown. Gabe King added a touchdown and Issac Rehberg tallied 49 rushing yards. This marks Head Coach Herb Brogan’s 11th title in his career, and 13th in school history to tie the MHSAA state record.

Jeff Steers contributed to this game recap.

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