MACOMB, Mich — Despite a 40 minute game delay, Richmond’s offense got rolling early and often to a 34-14 win over Macomb Lutheran North on Friday night.
The loss ended any playoff hopes for the Mustangs (4-5). Lutheran North was looking for their fifth victory and a chance to return to the playoffs in five seasons, but the Mustangs couldn’t not get any momentum going against Richmond.
On the other hand, the Blue Devils (8-1) will make the postseason for the fourth straight season and earned a share of the Blue Water Area Conference championship.
Richmond defeated Lutheran North 34-14 in both teams' football regular-season finale Oct. 23, 2015. (Photo Credit: George Pohly)The game was controlled early by two stout defenses. After Lutheran North’s squad forced a turnover on downs, Mustang quarterback Charles Kruse tossed an interception to senior Spencer Trapiss, which led to a touchdown drive for the Blue Devils and an early 7-0 lead.
Richmond senior Stefan Fenwick was the first to cross the goal line as he took an eight-yard carry for a score in the first quarter. Fenwick later scored his second touchdown to start the second quarter which give Richmond a 14-0 lead on his 40-yard dash to the end zone.
The 5-foot-7 running back finished with 10 carries for 86 yards and two scores for the Blue Devils.
With 4:27 left in the second quarter, fellow senior Andrew Hamel increased Richmond’s lead, 21-0, on his lone touchdown. Hamel led the Blue Devils with 88 yards on four carries.
The only two scores from the Mustangs came on one-yard carries. The first was a quarterback keeper from Charles Kruse, and the second was the last score of the game by senior Jack Pyle.
Pyle led Lutheran North with 13 carries for 42 yards and Kruse chipped in 20 yards on the ground. Kruse finished 11-for-24 with 122 yards through the air and an interception. While Kruse did not throw a touchdown, he did deliver a late two-point conversion to receiver Daric Craig on the Mustangs’ second touchdown to cut into Richmond’s lead.
The biggest play from Kruse was a 44-yard strike to Mitchell Visbara, who finished with 123 all-purpose yards against the Blue Devils. The pass to Visbara helped set up the quarterback sneak touchdown for the Mustangs.
Richmond’s defense was led by Andrew Reed who helped bring constant pressure for the Blue Devils. The defensive end recorded seven tackles and one sack on the night.
Richmond junior running back D'Sean Hamilton scored a 34-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter. In the beginning of the fourth, Richmond quarterback Chase Churchill hit Marquise VanPaemal in stride for a seven-yard score to help build the Blue Devil lead.
The starting quarterback completed 6-of-13 for 104 yards and a touchdown. Churchill played it safe and smart without turning the ball over.
