Bluejackets Bring Legend's Cup Home

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After starting the season by losing six games in a row, the Cambridge-Isanti football team’s first win came big on Oct. 14 by beating Becker 34-6.

Mike Hennen, in his first year as head coach, was happy for his players. “They kept working hard and it finally paid off for them,” Hennen said, “That’s the most satisfying thing about the win.”

C-I fullback Trent Chromy broke a school record by carrying the pig skin 54 times. Chromy bullied his way for 230 yards from tackle to tackle and scored three touchdowns.

“He was a battering ram and didn‘t go down easily,” Hennen said. Taking control of the line of scrimmage that allowed Chromy to run from three to nine yards on most of his carries were Jacket offensive linemen Jon Knowlton, Grant McCormick, Ben Zins, Brennon Olson and Jeremy Ham.

Chromy’s running allowed the Bluejackets to use 78 plays compared to Becker’s mere 40. The C-I offensive success proved to be their best defense as it kept the Bulldogs’ explosive offense off the field.

The Bluejackets took charge at the start of the game by scoring 20 points in the first quarter.

C-I’s Joe Miller caused a Becker fumble on the first play of the game with Chromey falling on the ball. It took just 2 minutes 35 seconds for the Jackets to score on a short 23-yards drive with Chromy banging into the end zone from the one-yard line. Josh Rouse kicked the extra point to punt the Jackets ahead 7-0.

At mid-quarter, Chromy found pay dirt again on a two-yard TD run. Before the quarter ended, C-I’s quarterback, Clayton Jennissen scored from two yards out and with Rouse kicking the extra point, the Jackets led 20-0.

Becker had what seemed like a nice scoring drive going in the second quarter, but a Bulldog fumble on C-I’s two-yard line was recovered by the Jackets that ended their scoring threat.

In the third period, Chromy scored on a four-yard run and Chance Laidly on a 16-yard run. Rouse kicked the extra points, and the Jackets had the game well in control, leading 34-0.

Becker scored a meaningless touchdown in the final period and fell to defeat 34-6.

C-I out first downed the Bulldogs 19-12 and in rushing 304-78. Becker passed for 136 yards and with the running game doing so well, QB Jennissen threw only four passes completing two for 18 yards. In total yardage, C-I had 322 yards to Becker’s 214 yards.

Ryan Epsen led the defense with 6.5 tackles.

A key to getting the victory for the Jackets was their taking advantage of Becker’s five turnovers, recovering three fumbles and intercepting two passes.

The Jackets played a state ranked Rogers on Oct. 19.

The Section 8 5A playoffs will start quarterfinal play on Oct. 25, Four teams are bunched at the top with Elk River in the top spot and St. Cloud Tech, Brainerd and Moorhead, not necessarily in that order, taking the next three seeds.

Oct. 19 results will determine the final seeding.

“We won’t know until Thursday morning where we will play,” concluded coach Hennen. “We do know that we will be on the road.”