Switching Gears, Kropach Helps Crespi Win, 10-6

The last thing a wide receiver probably wants to hear is that his team is switching to the run-oriented wing-T offense for his senior year.

It ranks just slightly above, “You’re cut.”

Crespi High’s Alex Kropach is making the best of the situation.

Playing in the slot position, Kropach rushed for 75 yards in seven carries and scored a fourth-quarter touchdown in the Celts’ 10-6 victory over Quartz Hill on Friday night at Crespi.

“Actually, this has turned out to be a lot of fun,” Kropach said.

The Celts (2-0) won their first two games for the first time in five seasons.

Still, Crespi, which beat Chaminade 6-3 in its opener, looked like anything but an offensive juggernaut, and needed several key defensive stops.

“Defense has certainly been a key for us,” Crespi Coach Tim Lins said. “It’s been very solid, especially in critical situations.”

Case in point: the fourth quarter, when four Celts buried Rebel punter Hiram Johnson at his 13.

Kropach ran 13 yards for a touchdown on the next play. Scott Boggs kicked the extra point for a 7-6 lead with 8:40 left. Boggs added a 27-yard field goal with 1:45 remaining.

Quartz Hill (1-1) marched to midfield in the final moments, but Crespi’s Brian Obringer twice sacked Erik Holtfreter. The drive ended at the Rebel 45 with one second left.

Quartz Hill’s David Fetters gained 102 yards in 14 carries, including a 66-yard touchdown run in the third quarter when he was stacked up at the line but broke free and found a six-player escort to the end zone.

Quartz Hill out-gained Crespi, 274-249, but fumbled three times.

Receiver Brent Byrne, who had two fumbles, lost his grip on the Crespi one after hauling in a 20-yard pass. The ball rolled into the Celt end zone, where Ronnie Lauer recovered for a touchback.

Crespi kicker Evan Driedger was wide to the right on a 21-yard field goal attempt in the final minute of the second quarter.

The Celts were forced to attempt the chip shot three plays after Kevin Cork connected with Lauer for a 47-yard pass play and a first down at the Quartz Hill three-yard line.