Tartans Edged 62-56 in Division 7 Second-Round

Norte Vista of Riverside scored early and often in a 62-56 win over the host Tartans, advancing to the Division 7 Semi-Finals. An early interception deep in the Tartan's half of the field put the Braves on top before Ryan Cragun returned the ensuing kickoff 93 yards for the touchdown. The Tartans trailed for most of the game before pulling ahead 53-49 with 6:49 left to play. In what was the recurring theme of the night, Norte Vista answered right back and regained the 56-53 lead. The Tartans again responded with a 26 yard Chris Vartanian field goal to tie it with 1:47 left in the game. Norte Vista sealed the victory with a 71 yard run for the score.

 

In the loss, quarterback George Krantz was 26/39 for 303 yds and four touchdowns with one rush for a touchdown. Receiver Ryan Cragun gained 156 yds on 11 catches with three touchdowns. Cragun also had two kick returns for scores on the night. Auston Locke had nine catches for 103 yds and one touchdown. Halfback Nick Krantz had 65 yds on the ground and one touchdown.

 

Defensively, the Tartans struggled to contain the Brave's vaunted ground game, conceding over 500 rushing yds. Ryan Cragun pulled in an interception on the lone Norte Vista passing attempt and also recovered a fumble. Nick Falshaw led the team in tackles with 10 and two assists while James Eidt had nine tackles and five assists.

 

The Tartans finish the 2016 campaign 9-3.

 

Read more about the game at OCVarsity.com.