Shaver triple threat as Maroons repeat

DIVISION 5 -- MENOMINEE 21, JACKSON L. CHRISTI 7:

Shaver triple threat as Maroons repeat
November 25, 2007

BY VINCE ELLIS

FREE PRESS SPORTS WRITER

The Jackson Lumen Christi defender bore down on Ethan Shaver, looking for a much-needed sack on third down midway through the fourth quarter of the Division 5 state title game Saturday.

But the senior triggerman in Menominee's single-wing attack wasn't going down easy. He slipped the tackle, stumbled forward, regained his balance and lumbered 16 yards for the key first down. He later added his second touchdown of the game on a 1-yard run.


And the all-round play of Shaver, who rushed for 208 yards and three TDs, was a major reason Menominee (14-0) claimed its second state title in a row and third in its history with a 21-7 victory at Ford Field.

"I thought we played good defense," Lumen Christi coach Herb Brogan said. "But No. 15 ... He's the real deal. He can run it and throw it."

And catch it. Shaver, who went 6-for-13 passing for 89 yards, also had one catch for 19 yards.

"(The team) blocked real well and the coaches made the right calls and I did what I had to do," Shaver said.

Lumen Christi (12-2) cut the deficit to 14-7 with 5:41 left on a 67-yard pass from Connor Sullivan to Mark Lathers.

Menominee then went three and out and punted to the Lumen Christi 25. But the Maroons' defense rose up and knocked Lumen Christi back to the 5, forcing a punt.

"That was a big momentum swing when they scored, but we were able to get the momentum back," defensive tackle Cody Woods said.

And Shaver capped off Menominee's next drive and the state title with a 6-yard TD run with 1:21 left.

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