Wolves capitalize on CP turnovers

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MICHIGAN CITY — Crown Point struggled, yet again, to score Friday and Michigan City took advantage of two huge turnovers for a 7-3 victory.

The Bulldogs (3-6, 3-4 Duneland Conference) had more first downs (17-11) and total yards (292-170). But CP, on first down at the 1, lost a fumble in the end zone in the third quarter. DaQuvay Sherrod recovered for Michigan City. With 5:06 let in the fourth, Adam Harmon picked off a tipped pass at MC’s 12 and returned it 36 yards.

It’s the story of CP’s season; it has scored 10 or fewer points in six games.

“Woulda, coulda, shoulda. We had opportunities; we didn’t make plays,” said frustrated coach Chip Pettit.

“It’s tough. We’ve been close a bunch of times and won a few close games. But not tonight.”

Wolves coach Craig Buzea “couldn’t be more proud of my team. It’s a tribute to our seniors and defensive coaches.” At the goal line, Pettit felt his runner made an ill-advised stretch. “Twice we had the ball at their 1 and came away with nothing.”

The first time ended the game’s opening drive. CP marched 70 yards in 16 plays but MC held from its 5. On first down senior QB Marcus Shrewsbury missed an open receiver in the end zone. On fourth-and-1 Sherrod dropped the QB for a loss on a naked bootleg.

Early in the second period, CP’s Mike Lipton booted a 39-yard field goal for a 3-0 lead, set up by his 20-yard catch. Minutes later he missed a 46-yarder.

The Wolves (4-5, 3-4) replied with a 14-play, 80-yard drive. QB Nate Scully capped it with a 4-yard TD toss to an open Harmon with 16.8 seconds in the half. The key was a 14-yard pass to Sherrod on 4th-and-10 at the 34.

A 35-yard Shrewsbury pass to Nate Haverstock (six grabs, 70 yards) set up Lipton’s 45-yard FG try. It fell just short under the bar.

Shrewsbury finished 15-of-27 for 155 yards; he hit 8-12 the first half.

Scully completed 8-17 for 80 yards, well off his averages. But he ran a season-high 16 times for 36 yards and punted six times.

“We felt we could run him to take advantage of their defense,” Buzea said. He, Harmon and Sherrod all play DB, Scully for the first time.

“We need our best players on the field,” Buzea said. Harmon limped off late in the third, sat a series but returned for his pick.

Buzea changed his goal-line defense after LaPorte took advantage last week.

Michigan City has won two straight and 3-of-5. It is 4-1 at home. CP senior Evan Nikrin ran 17 times for 56 yards. Shrewsbury added 29 on eight trips.