JOYCE — The Crescent football team, beset by a rash of injuries, nearly blew a 28-point lead, but rallied with a game-winning 49-yard touchdown run by Henry Bourm with 54 seconds left to pull out a wild 56-52 victory over La Conner.
It was the second wild, back-and-forth high-scoring affair the Loggers have won this year. Earlier this season, they beat Concrete 74-54 in a similar kind of game. This game featured five lead changes, four of them in the fourth quarter.
The Loggers rode a huge 22-point second quarter to take a 34-14 lead in the half.
After a Bourm 13-yard touchdown run early in the third quarter, the Loggers were seemingly in command with a 42-14 lead.
But four starters, Henry and Levi Bourm, Josh Bersom and Mason Harris, went out on defense, allowing LaConner to rally and claw back into the game. The Braves scored 16 straight points in the third quarter to go into the fourth down just 42-30.
“We’re not very deep in our second string,” said coach Brian Shimko. He said that fortunately, none of the players were seriously hurt and were able to get back in the game in the fourth. However, because the Loggers’ subs had to play so much, Crescent had to postpone a Monday JV game against Neah Bay.
LaConner scored two more quick touchdowns to begin the fourth to take a 44-42 lead. In barely more than a full quarter, the Braves outscored the Loggers 30-0.
The Loggers’ injured foursome was able to return in the game in the fourth and Crescent retook the lead with a 57-yard pass from Bourm to Dominiq Sprague.
Late in the fourth, the Braves grabbed the lead again at 52-48 behind a touchdown run from their star quarterback Bradey Wyles. Wyles ended up scoring five touchdowns.
With 54 seconds left, Shimko said he spread the offense and had Bourm run the ball up the middle for a 49-yard score. He passed to Sprague to make it 56-52. The Loggers’ defense was able to force a turnover on downs in the fourth to end the game.
Henry Bourm had a huge game through the air, passing for 239 yards and four touchdowns on 10-for-21 passing. Josh Bersom also threw a 48-yard touchdown pass to Micah Love on a halfback pass.
Sprague and Love had their best games of the year. Sprague ran 27 times for 147 yards to go with his 57-yard touchdown catch. Love caught the ball five times for 166 yards and three touchdowns. Shimko said Love also was huge on defense with an interception. He also caused a fumble with a strip and then recovered the ball.
Crescent (3-2) has a gigantic game next Saturday at home against Olympic Peninsula rival Neah Bay (4-1) at 1 p.m.
Crescent 56, La Conner 52
Cres. 12 22 8 14 —56
LC 0 14 16 22 —52
Scoring
First Quarter
Crescent — L. Bourm 24 pass from H. Bourm (PAT failed).
Crescent — Love 14 pass from H. Bourm (PAT failed).
Second Quarter
Crescent — Love 54 pass from H. Bourm (H. Bourm pass to Bersom).
Crescent — Sprague 34 run (H. Bourm pass to Love).
Crescent — Bersom 48 pass to Love (PAT failed).
Third Quarter
Crescent — Bourm 13 run (Charles run).
Fourth Quarter
Crescent — Sprague 57 pass from H. Bourm (PAT failed).
Crescent — H. Bourm 49 run (Sprague pass from H. Bourm).
Individual statistics
Rushing
Crescent — Sprague 27-147, H. Bourm 6-31, Bersom 4-49, L. Bourm 1-2.
Passing
Crescent — H. Bourm 10-21, 239 yards, 4 TDs; Bersom 1-1, 48 yards, TD.
Receiving
Crescent — Love 5-166, 3 TDs; L. Bourm 2-26, TD; Sprague 1-57, TD; Bersom 1-33; Simons 1-5.
