Tae Garrett
Nadia Toroiani - NBT Photography
66
Winner Lawrence Tech LTU 3-7 , 2-5
21
Madonna MADONNA 0-11 , 0-7
Winner
Lawrence Tech LTU
3-7 , 2-5
66
Final
21
Madonna MADONNA
0-11 , 0-7
Score By Quarters
Team 1st 2nd 3rd 4th F
LTU Lawrence Tech 35 19 12 0 66
MADONNA Madonna 0 7 0 14 21

Game Recap: Football | | Kellen Burke

Garrett scores twice on Senior Day

LIVONIA. Mich. - The Crusaders came home to face the Blue Devils of Lawrence Tech University at Churchill High School in the annual I-96 County Line Classic. The Blue Devils got the better of the Crusaders in this rivalry matchup, but the Crusaders tacked on some late scores to close the gap. The charge was led by senior D'Vonta Garrett in his final game in a Crusader jersey, leading the team in yards and scoring twice in the outing. The Blue Devils would take home the 66-21 win to cap off the 2023 season.

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Prior to the final game of their 2023 season, the Crusaders honored their graduating seniors: Tucker Baldwin, Belal Baydoun, John Billadeau, Arthur Brantley IV, Hiram Carreras, Connor Carrigan, Josh DePaulis, D'Vonta Garrett, Kaleb Johnson, Tommy Larson, Kelvin Lileton Jr., Keon Lipscomb-Jordan, Anthony Marsiglio, Bobby Martin, Aidan Olle, Spencer Rivera, and Jacob Zafarano.

The Blue Devils scored on the first play from scrimmage and quickly began to run up the score early as the Crusaders were unable to find their rhythm offensively. The Crusaders began to flip the script to start the second quarter, as true freshman linebacker Michael Momoh blocked a Blue Devil punt to give the offense great starting field position. From there, quarterback Max Morris was able to find sophomore tight end Cole Rosenow in the endzone from 21 yards out. Rosenow came down with the contested jump ball for his first career touchdown and the Crusaders' first points of the afternoon, with the score now 35-7.

Despite their great defensive stand to force the punt, the Blue Devils' offense would continue to rack up points before the half, entering into the break with a 54-7 lead over the Crusaders.

Despite the offense giving up great field position to the Blue Devils multiple times in the second half, it would be their defense that would come through when they needed it. The Crusaders allowed only field goals in the second half, including holding the Blue Devils to a field goal twice on drives in which the Blue Devils began in their own endzone.

The Crusaders' second-half hero would be none other than graduate student D'Vonta Garrett, who led the charge for the Crusaders on offense. The receiver scored his first touchdown of the afternoon on an end-around handoff from Morris inside the five-yard line. He would get in the endzone once again, but this time as the quarterback of their wildcat formation on a designed run.

Adding onto his career numbers in his final college game, Garrett will leave behind nothing short of an incredible legacy from his five years as a Crusader. Garrett will retire as the program's all-time leader in total touchdowns (9), receiving touchdowns (6), rushing touchdowns (3), scrimmage yards (1,369), receiving yards (1,230), and receptions (94).

INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
 
  • Garrett led the team with 47 all-purpose yards and two rushing touchdowns.
  • Dante Cardinali led the team with 10 total tackles, two tackles-for-loss, and one sack.
  • Bobby Martin recorded six total tackles and 2.5 tackles for loss.
  • Darren Francis recorded a punt of 54 yards.


UP NEXT:

The Crusaders will head into the offseason as they begin preparations for the 2024 season. They will be back in action next April for their annual spring game showcase.
 
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