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Craig finishes strong

JANESVILLE — Challenge met.

Despite being eliminated from the playoffs in week six, Janesville Craig coach Ben McCormick challenged his team to finish the season strong.

The Cougars responded by winning their last three games, capped off by Friday night’s 35- 14 nonconference win over Kenosha Tremper at Monterey Stadium.

“I’m so proud of these guys,” McCormick said. “The start of the season didn’t go as well as we had planned, but I couldn’t be more happy about the way it ended.

“I know some teams that would’ve packed it in when things weren’t going their way, but these guys kept battling and working hard. That’s what is most rewarding.”

Craig’s Jared Krueger made his last high school game a memorable one. The senior tailback finished with 204 yards rushing and three touchdowns. He went over the 200-yard mark on his last carry and left to a standing ovation from the crowd.

“Jared just kept his head up, didn’t complain and continued to work,” McCormick said. “That hard work was rewarded in a big way tonight.”

Craig (4-5) jumped on the visitors early. The Cougars scored 21 points the first quarter on Tom Gabower and Krueger runs, and a 32-yard touchdown pass to Darian Sharifi from Andy Miller.

The Cougars finished with 396 yards of total offense, including 288 on the ground.

Craig’s defense limited Tremper (3-6) to 41 yards rushing on 31 carries.

With a solid junior class, led by quarterback Tom Gabower, along with the sophomore and freshmen teams coming off successful seasons, the Cougar program could be on the rise.

“The way we ended the season is definitely something to build on,” McCormick said. “The offseason starts tomorrow for the kids coming back. That means getting in the weight room and doing the necessary things to get better.

“And for the seniors, I can’t thank them enough. Their attitude and desire to finish the season strong is something I will never forget.”

CRAIG 35, TREMPER 14

Kenosha Tremper 0 7 7 0—14

Janesville Craig 21 0 14 0—35

Scoring summary: C—Tom Gabower, 1 run (Monica Speth kick). C-Jared Krueger, 22 run (Speth kick). C—Darian Sharifi, 32 pass from Andy Miller (Speth kick). T—Zach Titel, 8 pass from Kato Nichols (Kyle Holden kick). C—Krueger, 42 run (Speth kick). T—Braden Wisnewski, 76 pass from William Buege (Holden kick). C—Krueger, 1 run (Speth kick).

Statistics: First downs—T 10, C 22. Rushes—T 31-41, C 43-288. Yards passing—T 157, C 108. Passes—12-8-0, C 12-4-1. Fumbles—T 3-2,

C 2-1. Penalties—T 8-62, C 2-20.