Sprint Football Falls in CSFL Championship Game, 9-7

Saturday, November 13

12 P.M.

Army West Point

6-2 , 4-0

Navy

8-0 , 3-0

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

ARMY

Navy

Photo by: Army Athletics

Sprint Football Falls in CSFL Championship Game, 9-7

November 13, 2021 | Sprint Football

Box Score

By: Phil Tor

MANSFIELD, Pa. – Army West Point Sprint Football fought hard in the Collegiate Sprint Football League Championship game on Saturday, eventually falling to Navy, 9-7.

HOW IT HAPPENED
The battle between Army and Navy began early on Saturday as both sides attempted to set the tone on defense early in the contest.

The Mids struck first on their opening possession, kicking a field goal to take an early 3-0 lead.

Army followed up with a 8-play, 43-yard drive into Navy territory highlighted by a pair of strong rushes from JC Watson. However, the Black Knights were stopped short of a first down and would be forced to punt.

The following four possessions would also end in punts and the first quarter clock would expire with the score showing 3-0 in favor of Navy.

The second quarter lasted just over 25 minutes of real time, as the teams would trade punts on the following five possessions going into the half.

The Army defense continued its strong play in the second half, forcing a Navy punt on the first possessions of the half. Laurence Dowd recorded his second interception of the season at the 10-minute, stopping a Navy drive and putting the Cadets in great field position. Army would miss a field goal attempt and the score would stay at 3-0 going into the fourth quarter.

After another pair of punts Army, led by Mikal Willeke, would march down the field for an 8-play, 58-yard drive. Willeke crossed the goal line on the final play to give the Cadets a 7-3 lead.

Navy answered with a touchdown of its own two possessions later, but would miss the extra point to take a 9-7 lead late in the contest.

The Mids held on to the lead until time expired to earn the win.

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE

Mikal Willeke led the Cadets offensive push with 92 yards passing and seven yards rushing
Willeke also had the lone Army touchdown in the contest, a 3-yard trot in the 4th quarter
Donovan Mannion had 6 receptions for 53 yards to lead all receivers
Army had 19 first downs compared to Navy's seven
David Dickerson had 12 tackles to lead the Cadets defense
Brendan Windsor's seven solo tackles was good for the team high
Mason Goulet and Windsor shared the only sack of the day for Army
Laurence Dowd intercepted his second pass of the season in the contest
Sammy Whipple was credited with two pass break-ups