Cromwell Sees Season Slip Away at Midfield

Wes Vork-NSO

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Nov 13

Dwight Cadwell-NSO

Jordan Suhonen had been the leader of the Cromwell Cardinal offense all season. His quiet but effective role as a leader of this State Tournament team ended at midfield Friday night late in the second quarter with a broken leg. Suhonen, the team’s leading rusher and passer went down after an 11 yard run which gave the Cardinals a first down at the Ada-Borup 49 yard line.

Suhonen tried to move after being tackled , but it was evident he wasn’t able as almost immediately medical personnel called for the stretcher and Suhonen left the field heading for the hospital. Cromwell rallied before half but in the end it was the Cougars coming through and downing the Cardinals 38-14.

The Cromwell Cardinals got the opening kick of the game and could do little offensively on a wet and rainy Friday night. The Cougars would strike first as Bill Atwood scored on a 6 yard touchdown run. A pass from Spencer Ruebke to Paul Johnson for the two point conversion made it 8-0 in favor of Ada-Borup.

Cromwell answered early in the second quarter as Suhonen scored on a 1 yard touchdown run. Jordan Smith added the two point conversion and the game was tied at 8-8. The Cougars would answer right back as they marched down the field and Atwood scored his second rushing touchdown of the game, this time from 2 yards away. Ruebke found Aaron Olson in the end zone for the two point conversion and the Cougars led 16-8 with 2:53 remaining in the first half.

Cromwell did answer with nine seconds remaining in the first half when Smith who took over for the injured Suhonen scored on a 9 yard touchdown run. The two point conversion was no good and Cromwell trailed at the break 16-14. A Botched on side kick attempt by Cromwell would let the Cougars advance to opening kickoff to the Cardinals 6 yard line, and Yuri Johnson scored on a 1 yard touchdown run three plays later, after a two point conversion, Cromwell trailed 24-14.

Cromwell tried to rally but an errant pass was intercepted by the Cougars and it gave Ada-Borup great field position and again they scored quickly in the third quarter. This time it was Ruebke throwing a 25 yard touchdown pass to Paul Johnson, Y. Johnson added the two point conversion and with only five minutes gone in the third quarter it was Ada-Borup taking a firm hand on the outcome with a 32-14 lead.

Cromwell continued to fight, but in the end it was four turnovers, the loss of Suhonen at the helm, and several mistakes that ended the dream of advancing to the state semi-finals. The Cougars added one more touchdown midway through the fourth quarter to extend their lead to 24 points, resulting in a final score of 38-14.

On the night the Cromwell offense outgained Ada-Borup 267 yards to 253, but in the end it was only one turnover for the Cougars compared to four for the Cardinals which was the final difference in the outcome. Jordan Smith led all rushers with 110 yards rushing for the Cardinals. He also had nine yards passing in the loss. Suhonen left the game with 64 yards rushing and 26 yards passing in the first half.

The Cardinals finish their season with a record of 10-2 overall, the Cougars improve to 11-0 and they move on to the state semi-finals next Saturday morning at the Metrodome. The Cougars will face the winner of Grand Meadow and Nicollet who play Saturday in Rochester Minnesota.

Northland Sports Online would like to congratulate the seniors on the Cardinal team for a fine season and wish them success in the future. Those seniors are: Jordan Smith, Ryan Hutar, John Schliauter, Shawn Anderson, Cole Johnson, Dustin Byer, and Nolan Wester.

Dwight Cadwell can be reached at dwight@northlandsportsonline.com