On August 26th, 2022, The Mount Michael Knights played their season opener against the Crete Cardinals under new head coach Allen Burrell Jr. When asked on how he thought the first game would go he stated, “The team is prepared, and they have been working hard this summer. They have also had the time to bond as a team, which is a big factor in their success. They are excited to play.”  

During the offseason, the team worked and practiced hard to make themselves game ready.  Going into his senior season lineman Conner Connealy’23 said,” I worked mostly on my explosiveness off of the line and using my hands to get around blockers.” Many of the players were excited to be back on the field and to get to play for a new coach. When asked how he felt going into the first game, receiver Nick Halpin’24 said,” Very Confident. As a team we are very prepared.” Not only were the players excited, but so were their loyal fanbase. There was a buzz all around the Mount Michael Campus and as soon as that bell rang all anyone could think of was Knights football. 

To start off the game the Mount Michael captains Will Brewster’23, Cole Gustofson’23, Connor Connealy’23, and Jack Huber’23, won the toss and decided to receive the 2nd half kickoff. The game started off with good offense and defense from both teams, but that all changed when the Knights were hit with a fumble on a run and gave the ball to Crete on their side of the field. With great defense by the Knights, Crete was only able to score a field goal making the score 3-0. After this blow the Knights were able to put together an offensive drive down the field. With 51 seconds left on the clock Jake Harris’23 scored a five-yard running Touchdown making the score 7-3. After a back-and-forth fumble battle between the two teams with a combined four fumbles in just the first quarter. The teams were ready to put the mistakes behind them and start the second quarter. 

At the 10:56 mark of the second quarter Crete drove down the field to score a 41-yard passing touchdown. But the Knights continued to battle on both ends of the ball and with two interceptions from both Austin Danahay’24 and Will Benson’23 and a combined nine tackles for loss by the defensive line and secondary, the Knights were able to get some prime scoring opportunities. With 1:25 seconds left in the half the Knights were able to drive down the field and hand the ball to Sebastian Duran’23 for a four-yard touchdown run and a 14-10 lead to end the quarter. 

The Knights received the kickoff for the third quarter but came up short on their opening drive and were forced to punt. The defense was then sent out to do what they do best, hold the line and force a punt. The defense did exactly that and more while getting 4 tackles for loss and forcing the opposing team to punt the ball after a two-minute drive. The Knights received the ball at their own 47-yard line and put together a good amount of gain up to the Crete 32-yard line. After taking the snap, quarterback Brewster threw a 32- yard touchdown pass to junior receiver Nick Halpin to make the score 21-10. The rest of the quarter was a test of offense and defense from both teams in which nobody scored. 

Crete started off with the ball to begin the 4th quarter but was upended when the Knights defense forced a fumble and gained possession of the ball, but their glory was short lived as with only a minute into the possession quarterback Brewster’s pass was intercepted on a cross route. Just like the third quarter both teams held their own on both ends which resulted in a scoreless 4th quarter.  

The Knights took the 21-10 win over the Crete Cardinals to signal their first win of the season. Standout players included Brewster who went 10-21 with completions and totaled up 157 yards and one passing touchdown and Harris who had 14 carries for 54 yards and one rushing touchdown. Mount Michael defense gave a great show with 16 tackles for loss, two interceptions, and two sacks. With a show on both ends, the Knights are starting off their season in a good spot. They will take on Ralston at their home field September 3rd and are hoping to get a 2-0 record.