By MICHAEL RODGERS
The Luverne Journal

The Crenshaw Christian Academy Cougars used big plays and an opportunistic defense to pick up a 28-14 win over the Macon-East Knights.

The Cougars got things started quickly by scoring on the first play from scrimmage when Michael D’Arville hit Austin Brown for 42 yards on a halfback pass.

The score remained 7-0 until there were fewer than 10 seconds left in the first quarter, when Macon-East tied the game on a quarterback sneak.

However, with 8:38 to go until halftime, Kyle Furr scored on a 13-yard sweep around the left end to make it 14-7.

Linebacker Rann Smyth intercepted a pass to set the Cougars up at their own 30-yard line on the ensuing drive, but CCA was unable to capitalize.

The game remained 14-7 until midway through the fourth quarter, when both offenses managed to find something that worked.

CCA struck first following a failed fake punt by MEMA that gave the Cougars the ball at midfield.

A run by Will Moses and a penalty call on a horse-collar tackle moved the ball to the 10-yard line, where Moses punched it in to make the score 21-7.

The Knights responded by moving the ball down the field with the passing game and ending the drive with a 22-yard strike.

With the margin just a touchdown, the CCA defense made sure that the Knights were done scoring.

In addition to his earlier interception, Smyth picked off two more passes to end Macon-East drives.

A 22-yard touchdown run from D’Arville with 2:10 to go in the game sealed it for the Cougars.

“We really played hard,” said head coach Roland Jones. “I’m proud of our team.  It seems like we play up or down to our competition, but we had some guys step up.”

Jones said that Smyth, D’Arville and Austin Brown all played key roles, and he also gave credit to the offensive line.

“It really starts up front,” he said. “They don’t always get the recognition they deserve.  Storm Worthington, Josh Hinton, Justin Fuller, Matthew Luster and Austin Brown all do a fabulous job.”

Smyth had a career night on defense, recording three interceptions, two sacks, nine solo tackles and three assists.

The interceptions were his first of the season so far.

“It’s huge to get a win over a AAA team,” Smyth said. “I thought we came out and showedout as a team.”

Will Moses was the team’s top rusher with 13 carries for 75 yards and a touchdown, and Kyle Furr was close behind with nine carries for 73 yards.

D’Arville added five rushes for 42 yards and a touchdown.

Moses also had nine tackles for the defense, while Jud Sutley had eight tackles and a sack.

Shaun Lewis recorded eight tackles and Wilson Hord had seven tackles.

Worthington also recovered a fumble caused by Jordan Phelps.

The win moves the Cougars to 4-0 on the season.

“We’ve just got to keep improving every week,” said Jones.