The Crown College coaching staff worried about facing Iowa Wesleyan quarterback Raul Alvarez on Saturday afternoon. The dynamic quarterback has been a real star for the Tigers this season, and he did not disappoint on this afternoon, leading a four-play, 66-yard drive to give his team the lead with 3:26 left in the game, and IW would go on to win 19-13. That finished out the Storm season at 2-8.

It was a stingy first quarter, as both defenses looked incredibly sharp in keeping the score tied at zero. In the second, both offenses would finally get something going, as Crown was the first to get on the board. With 4:50 left in the first quarter, the Storm would begin from their own 27. Terrell Thomas got the drive started with a huge 18-yard drive, and three more rushes would make it first and 10 at the Tigers 29 when the quarter ended. The drive looked like it may stall, but a personal foul call gave the Storm a first and 10 at the 12. Two plays later Ryan Synoground found Trey Peace for nine-yards and the score to make it 7 -0.

IW responded right away. From their own 23, Alvarez hit Rodolfo Amerzcua for 23-yards on the first play of the drive. Alvarez would complete three straight passes for 48-yards that moved the ball to the Crown six. Two plays later, Alvarez kept the ball and raced into the end zone to tie the score.

On the next drive for Crown, they would methodically move down the field reaching the Iowa Wesleyan 14 in 11-plays. On fourth and goal, they opted for the field goal, but Darryl Smith blocked the kick giving the Tigers the ball at their 10.

There was just 2:18 left in the half and Alvarez moved the team quickly. They would move 90-yards in 10-plays before the QB found Jeremy Gomez for 15-yards and the touchdown. That made it 13-7 which would be the score at the half.

Clearly both teams had figured something out to generate some offense as the first half had gone along. In the third quarter the Crown defense would take charge again as the offense would tie the score. On their second drive of the second half, Matt Michaud got the drive going with three straight runs. Synoground would cap off the drive when he found Nick McCormick for 23-yards and a touchdown on third and 2. The kick was no good, tying the score.

It would stay tied into the fourth when the Tigers would retake the lead. The opportunity was set up when the IW defense stopped Matt Michaud on fourth and 2 at the 35 of IWU, turning the ball over on downs. On the very next play, Alvarez found Tyree Thomas for 46-yards to the Crown 20. Three-plays later Alvarez threw to Amezcua for a 10-yard touchdown to make it 19-13.

The Storm had one more opportunity to try to tie the score, however, Synground was sacked on fourth and 19 to end the threat. Iowa Wesleyan then ran out the clock to end the game, 19-13.

Alvarez finished with an impressive 320-yards and 2-TDs passing, and he rushed for 68-yards and a score. Amezcua had 8-catches for 118-yards receiving and a TD. For the Storm Michaud finished with 146-yards on 31-carries.

The Crown College defense was led by Joel Silva who made 10 tackles. Senior Elliot Wiens had 7-tackles and a sack. Jalen Phoenix added 1.5-sacks giving him 5.5 for the season.

The loss concluded the season for the Crown College Storm. The Minor League Sports Report will do a week-by-week review of each game starting on the first Saturday following Thanksgiving. Player profiles will also be included.

Boxscore

By Robert Pannier