MOUNT GILEAD — Colonel Crawford had to travel to Friday night’s Division VI, Region 23 football game.
But once in Mount Gilead, the Eagles made themselves right at home from the very beginning while eliminating the fourth-seeded Indians 42-8 in a Division VI, Region 23 playoff matchup.
C.C. receiver Parker Weithman had a spectacular game with four catches for 187 yards, including three long touchdown receptions.
Colonel Crawford broke to a fast start with 21 first-quarter points. Connor McMichael ripped off a 31-yard touchdown dash, then added a 4-yard TD romp before Weitman reeled in a 52-yard scoring catch.
Weithman’s 53-yard touchdown reception in the second quarter accounted for a 28-0 halftime spread.
Weithman’s 70-yard TD catch in the third period triggered a running clock and Peyton Baker’s 64-yard sprint goosed the gap to 42-0 in the fourth quarter.
The Indians averted the shutout with a late touchdown pass and two-point conversion.
C.C.’s Brayden Holt completed 5-of-7 passes for 148 yards and two touchdowns. Baker ran 3 time for 73 yards and a score, and completed 2-of-3 passes for 71 yards and a TD. McMichael gained 59 yards on 10 attempts.
Mount Gilead’s Carson Barnum posted 56 yards on 17 carries, but Col. Crawford’s explosive plays offset his efforts.
Coach Jake Bruner’s fifth-seeded Eagles (11-1) will next travel to No. 1-seed Centerburg (10-1) for a regional semifinal. The Trojans upended ninth-seeded Ridgewood 28-14 in their playoff opener Friday night.
Mount Gilead ended a fine season with a 9-2 record.
(Photos by Diane Bemiller)
