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With star running back sidelined, East Ridge prevails over Cretin-Derham Hall

By David La Vaque, Star Tribune, 09/30/16, 9:30PM CDT

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The Raptors earned a 21-7 victory despite the absence of Dominik London, who left the game in the first quarter with an injury.


East Ridge senior quarterback Ty Okada scrambles away from Cretin-Derham Hall defenders. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

On a night when two future Gophers struggled, East Ridge showed the depth of its talent and character.

The Raptors beat previously undefeated Cretin-Derham Hall 21-7 despite three missed field goals by Grant Ryerse and losing running back Dominik London to an ankle sprain in the first quarter.

“We faced a lot of adversity throughout the game,” junior safety T.J. Kelly said. “You have to keep your poise and stay calm, and I think we did that tonight.”

Kelly returned an interception 25 yards for a 14-0 lead, a play Raptors coach Dan Fritze called “the difference in the game.”

Cretin-Derham Hall (4-1) didn’t quit. The Raiders scored just before halftime as quarterback Jackson Crawford spun into the end zone from a yard out on fourth down.

But big plays and tough defense allowed East Ridge (4-1) to pull away after halftime. A.J. Tittle, likely the Raptors’ fastest player, sprinted around left end for an 80-yard touchdown and a 21-7 lead.

“When he gets that corner, it’s over,” Fritze said.

“We have other athletes who can carry the ball and can make plays,” Tittle said. “We’re a team, and we don’t depend on one person.”

The Raptors defense conceded yards to Crawford but kept the Raiders out of the end zone in the second half.

“Whenever we got some momentum going on offense we shot ourselves in the foot or they made a play and we didn’t,” Cretin-Derham Hall coach Brooks Bollinger said.

David La Vaque


East Ridge's AJ Tittle heads down field during an 80-yard touchdown run against East Metro District Blue Division rival Cretin-Derham Hall in the Raptors' 21-7 win Friday night. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

First report

East Ridge defeated Cretin-Derham Hall 21-7 despite losing running back Dominik London to injury in the first quarter.

London, who has committed to Minnesota, walked off the field late in the first quarter on Friday and did not return. The Raptors (4-1) rallied in his absence. Running back Jaron Pittman scored and London’s backup, AJ Tittle, ran for a 80-yard touchdown.

The previously undefeated Raiders (4-1) scored just before halftime as quarterback Jackson Crawford spun into the end zone from a yard out on fourth down.

Check back later for more on the game.


Cretin-Derham Hall's Jackson Crawford uses a stiff-arm on an East Ridge defender. Photo by Korey McDermott, SportsEngine

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