PHOTOS: Adam Harper lifts Northwood past Crean Lutheran 17-14 in thrilling crosstown game

Adam Harper of Northwood picks up yards as Noah Bray of Crean Lutheran defends Friday night. (Photos: Fernando M. Donado, For OC Sports Zone)

There was a lot at stake and excitement leading up to Friday night’s Northwood vs. Crean Lutheran non-league football game at Irvine Stadium.

Not only were the two local Irvine schools battling for neighborhood bragging rights with each team seeking its first win of the season, but longtime friends, former colleagues and current head coaches of the Saints’ and Timberwolves’, Rick Curtis and JC Clarke, were competing head-to-head for the first time in their careers. 

And the game lived up to its billing.

Northwood junior running back/linebacker Adam Harper was a force on both sides of the ball as he rushed for 202 yards, scored two touchdowns, had 15 tackles and recorded an interception. The Timberwolves had to survive two fourth-quarter turnovers before edging Crean Lutheran 17-14 before a large crowd.

“We stayed to our game plan, we ran the ‘rock’ and milked the clock,” said Harper. “We really wanted to win this game.”

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Northwood players charge out onto the field for Friday's opener.

Crean Lutheran players head out to the field Friday.

Captains from Crean Lutheran and Northwood meet for the coin toss.

Northwood's defense makes a stop against Crean Lutheran.

Northwood head coach JC Clarke (left) and assistant coach Dean Toohey follow the play.

Crean Lutheran Coach Rick Curtis returned to coach against his former team Friday.

Jack Fairchild of Crean Lutheran goes for yards as Adam Harper of Northwood reaches to tackle him.

Nathaniel Lowell of Crean Lutheran picks up yards.

Crean Lutheran quarterback Gavin Rogers throws a pass Friday.

Adam Harper scores the first of his two touchdowns for Northwood.

Northwood quarterback Andrew Penrod warms up before the game.

Northwood quarterback Andrew Penrod looks for yards in Friday's game.

Ben Buetell of Crean Lutheran scores after hauling in a TD pass.

Coach JC Clarke cheers on his Northwood team in his first game as Timberwolves' coach.

Fans turned out in big numbers Friday at Irvine Stadium.

In his first game as Northwood’s head coach, Clarke was extremely happy with the outcome.

“We were scared to death with our young offensive line (Sam Piratesh, Aaron Levisee, Jan Abuelsad, Ace Jacobs, Nick He and Darian Flores), but they kept plugging away and opened holes for Adam,” Clarke said. “Harper is a great running back and next week we’re getting some more kids back from injuring to help us out. I love these kids.”

Harper added a 15-yard TD run in the third quarter to increase Northwood’s lead to 17-7. The Saints drew closer following an outstanding leaping catch in the end zone by Jack Fairchild (9 catches, 109 yards) on a pass from QB Gavin Rogers to cut the lead to 17-14 with 9:55 to play.

The Timberwolves appeared in the driver seat when they were awarded a first down late in the game following a Saints offside penalty on a fourth down play. However, moments later, Crean Lutheran (0-2) recovered a Northwood fumble at their 33 with 1:30 remaining. They moved the ball to the Timberwolves 40, but a fourth-down pass with 5 seconds left was batted down in the secondary to secure Northwood’s win.

“It was an exciting game, it came right down to the end and we had a chance to win, but my hat is off to them,” said Curtis. “The difference in the game was Adam Harper. He’s a great running back and we couldn’t tackle him. We couldn’t stop him.”

Late in the first quarter, the Saints marched 60 yards in six plays to take a 7-0 lead. On a fourth and one play, Rogers (20 completions for 208 yards and 2 TDs) threw a 21-yard touchdown to a wide-open Ben Buettell who stepped into the end zone to give Crean Lutheran an early lead. 

The Timberwolves countered on the ensuing possession as they drove 57 yards in six plays to tie the score 7-7. Harper blasted straight up the middle eight yards for the touchdown.    

Just before half, a 30-yard pass play from Andrew Penrod to Ryan Kessler set up Kareem Yowkeem’s 32-yard field goal, giving Northwood a 10-7 at intermission.

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—Tom Connolly, For OC Sports Zone