BY JOBY FAWCETT
Times-Shamrock Writer
Montrose running back Austin Cook runs for a short gain against Holy Cross during the first quarter of play Saturday. JAKE DANNA STEVENS / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
It took some patience, a couple of big plays, and a level of determination as Montrose came away with a hard-fought victory for its first-year coach.
Facing a fourth and goal from the 1, running back Connor Kojola powered his way across for the deciding touchdown with less than a minute to play to lead the Meteors to a 26-20 win over Holy Cross on Saturday afternoon at St. Anthony’s Playground.
“I was really determined to score and I just pushed through,” Kojola said as his team congratulated coach Lou Cella on his first victory with the program.
The winning drive started when Jack Fruehan recovered a fumble at the Montrose 13 to stymie Holy Cross, which was marching for a score midway through the fourth quarter.
Montrose’s Jake Hayes (38) forces a fumble by Holy Cross’ Tim Krupski (3) during the first quarter of play. Holy Cross recovered the ball. JAKE DANNA STEVENS / STAFF PHOTOGRAPHER
Kojola’s touchdown capped a methodical, 14-play drive that covered 73 yards and featured two fourth-down conversions, a 30-yard run by fullback Bob Purdy — who had 90 yards rushing on the dive play of the triple-option offense in the second half — and a facemask penalty inside the 10.
“We have to get that dive,” said Purdy, who also scored a touchdown in the third quarter that pulled the Meteors to within 20-19. “That is our main play. At first, we weren’t getting it, but then the line really did a good job in the second half.
Austin Cook, who ran for 89 yards and a score and caught two passes for 46 yards, intercepted a pass with less than 10 seconds remaining to secure the victory.
“This is a special win,” Cook said. “We just came together and really played as a team.”
Holy Cross, which has lost 26 straight games, played with emotion and intensity.
The Crusaders scored in the first quarter with a 28-yard touchdown reception on a half-back option pass to open the scoring.
But Montrose (1-3) answered when Cook scored from 6 yards out and the two teams ended the first quarter tied at 6-6.
Holy Cross took the lead again on a 1-yard sneak one play after the Crusaders recovered a fumble.
Montrose’s Patrick Parks hit Cook for a 35-yard completion and then scored on a 1-yard run. Matt Saravitz made the extra point to make it 13-12.
Holy Cross (0-4) reclaimed the lead when Kevin Kizis intercepted a pass and returned it 54 yards for a touchdown. Kizis also intercepted a pass on Montrose’s next possession and the Crusaders led 20-13 at halftime.
But the Meteors began to win the battle up front in the second half. They ran for 165 yards and limited Holy Cross to 68 on 16 carries.
“We came out with more of a determination to win,” Parks said. “We were a little flat in the first half. We came out and executed a lot better.
“We played a lot better on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball.”
Montrose had a 14-play, 90-yard scoring drive to open the third quarter that Purdy finished with a 6-yard run.
The Meteors also made the momentum-shifting plays in the second half.
Colin Mondi had an interception in the third quarter, Fruehan had his fumble recovery in the fourth and the Meteors won the game with a 14-play drive that Cook kept alive with an 11-yard reception on fourth down.
Be the first to comment on "Montrose scores first win of season"