Unbeaten Penn Capitalizes on Crown Point Turnovers to Advance to Class 6A Semifinals with 44-27 Win

CROWN POINT, Ind. — Penn took advantage of a turnover-filled night to build a commanding first-half lead and then matched Crown Point in the second half to earn a 44-27 road victory Friday night, advancing to the Indiana Class 6A semifinals.

The Kingsmen wasted little time asserting themselves on the road, scoring a safety just seven seconds into the game after a bad snap sent the ball out of the back of Crown Point's end zone. Penn added a touchdown in the second quarter to make it 9-0 before capitalizing on a series of Crown Point mistakes to extend its advantage.

The Bulldogs struggled to handle the wet football, throwing three first-half interceptions, including one that set up a Penn touchdown pass that extended the visitors' lead to 23-6 at halftime lead. In fact, the three completions to the Kingsmen defense were more than Crown Point managed to complete to its own offensive skill players with a 4-yard touchdown pass accounting for the only passing yards and points for the hosts before halftime.

Crown Point showed some fight after the break, getting back within 10 points at 23-13 when a 31-yard touchdown pass followed a Penn fumble. But the Kingsmen answered with another touchdown, and although Crown Point's Summers broke loose for a 66-yard scoring run to make it 30-20, Penn answered yet again. A 21-yard run set up another Kingsmen touchdown, pushing the lead to 37-20 heading into the fourth quarter. Penn then took advantage of a Crown Point turnover on downs, scoring on a 39-yard touchdown pass one play later to make it 44-20 with just over nine minutes remaining.

The Bulldogs added a late touchdown to trim the deficit to 44-27, but it was just too little too late for Crown Point by then. The Kingsmen's ability to turn Crown Point's mistakes into points proved decisive on a rainy night, as they overcame a second-half challenge to keep their postseason run alive and move one step closer to a potential Class 6A championship.

If you missed our live updates during the game, you can still catch up with our game blog below:

FINAL — Penn 44, Crown Point 27

And it's finally in the books in Crown Point. Penn goes on the road and returns home with a win to advance to Indiana's Class 6A semifinals.

Crown Point recovers the onside kick. But for some unknown reason, they didn't go for two after that last touchdown so this is still a three-possession game.

Penn 44, Crown Point 27

Crown Point finally chips into Penn's big lead, but it's going to be too little too late tonight with just 1:52 remaining.

Penn 44, Crown Point 20

And Penn wastes no time going for the jugular. A 39-yard scoring toss one play after the turnover on downs ends this one with nine to play.

9:09 to play. Crown Point had to go for a fourth and 8 on their own side of the field. It's an incomplete pass, and Penn will take over at Crown Point's 39 already leading by three scores in a game where there isn't a lot of clock left to leave time for a rally.

Crown Point will start at its 37.

And Crown Point's defense answers the call, and they'll force a punt deep in Penn territory. A good chance to set up with good field position here. 11:14 to play.

Crown Point heads to the fourth quarter needing to find some defense to have any chance of extending its season.

End of Third Quarter — Penn 37, Crown Point 20

Crown Point forced to punt with 57 seconds to play in the third quarter.

Penn 37, Crown Point 20

Penn punches it in, and Crown Point is back in a three-score hole. They can't afford to trade touchdowns here with the Kingsmen.

Penn with a 21-yard run all the way inside Crown Point's 1-yard line.

Penn keeping the pressure on Crown Point's defense as they pick up a first down at the Bulldogs' 44.

Penn 30, Crown Point 20

Don't bury the Bulldogs yet! Summers breaks free on a long run to get it back to 10 again. A 66-yard play to keep Crown Point in this.

Penn 30, Crown Point 13

Penn punches it in, and that could be the dagger. A lot of time left, but this is a big lead for the Kingsmen in the later stages of the third quarter.

Penn with a pass play over the middle, and they take it all the way down to Crown Point's 9-yard line.

Penn 23, Crown Point 13

That wet football continues to confound both teams as Penn fumbles at its own 31. One play later, Crown Point makes them pay on a 31-yard touchdown pass. Just like that, it's back to 10 points. Very much a game at this point.

Penn on offense first.

About to get under way in the second half.

Halftime — Penn 23, Crown Point 6

And that's the first half. While this game was pretty much a coin flip, Penn's lead is a little bit surprising on a wet night in Crown Point, Indiana.

Penn 23, Crown Point 6

Penn with the touchdown pass to extend this lead to 17 points on a four-play, 27-yard drive after the turnover.

Kingsmen with a first down at the 16, and they're knocking on the door again with a score that would really put Crown Point in a deep hole.

Crown Point throws its third interception of the half, and Penn takes over inside the Bulldogs' 30. The wet ball is proving hard to hold onto tonight.

Penn 16, Crown Point 6

Crown Point finally scores on a 4-yard pass play, their first completion of the game. Trailing 16-6, they go for two, but the pass is incomplete. It's still a two-possession game, but the Bulldogs chip into the big Penn lead.

Penn 16, Crown Point 0

Penn in thorough control of this one. Following the last touchdown, Crown Point immediately throws an interception in the right flat. Penn then scores on a touchdown pass, and the Kingsmen are up 16-0.

Penn 9, Crown Point 0

The Kingsmen open the second quarter with a touchdown. The PAT makes it officially a two-score advantage.

End of the First Quarter — Penn 2, Crown Point 0

Penn on the move down to the Bulldogs' 15.

Crown Point turns it right back over to Penn on an interception in what is quickly becoming a theme in this game.

Penn immediately fumbles it back to Crown Point, and the Bulldogs take over at the Kingsmen 29.

Crown Point to the 25. On a fourth and 4 from there, Summers is stopped in his tracks. Penn takes over on downs.

On the following play, they convert the first down at Penn's 31.

Crown Point dodges a bullet on a bad snap on fourth and short. The ball rolls 30 yards or so into their own end of the field where it's surrounded by Kingsmen on what would have been a scoop and score. It's all for naught, however, as the play is blown dead due to illegal procedure on the Bulldogs.

Crown Point on the move at Penn's 39.

After a change of possession, Penn was driving with a chance to make this a two-possession game early. But in interception in the flat by Crown Point sets the Bulldogs up on their own 44.

Penn 2, Crown Point 0

A disaster for Crown Point on their first play with a bad snap, and their forced to knock the ball out of the back of their own end zone for a Penn safety. Just seven seconds gone in this one, and it's 2-0 Kingsmen.

They are under way!

The coin flip is done.

AccuWeather says it's 38 degrees with a light rain in Crown Point so it's going to be a chilly night for the players and for the fans who decided to come out for the game.

Stay tuned as we get ready to fire up the live blog for Penn at Crown Point.

Preview

Who: Penn at Crown Point
When: 7:30 p.m. EST local
Where: Crown Point High School, Crown Point, Indiana
Stream: IHSAATV.org

There is plenty at stake when the Crown Point Bulldogs and Penn Kingsmen take the field Friday night, but neither team needs much extra motivation. With both programs sitting at 11-0, something has to give when two of Indiana's remaining undefeated Class 6A contenders collide.

The winner will capture the regional championship and move one step closer to a potential appearance at Lucas Oil Stadium.

Crown Point enters the contest after putting together an impressive 57-27 victory over Lake Central in last week's sectional championship. The Bulldogs demonstrated their offensive firepower in that performance, reaching the 50-point mark while keeping their perfect record intact.

Penn was equally convincing in its sectional finale, rolling past Elkhart 48-7. The Kingsmen jumped out to a 28-0 lead in the opening quarter and added another 20 points before halftime, putting the game out of reach early.

Those performances offer a glimpse of the challenge facing both defenses. Penn has averaged 48.2 points per game this season, while Crown Point has averaged 40.9. Neither offense has had much trouble finding the end zone, making the ability to generate defensive stops particularly important.

The matchup also features a compelling quarterback-versus-defense storyline. Penn senior Landon Hall has been the driving force behind the Kingsmen offense, throwing for 44 touchdowns while completing nearly 80 percent of his passes. He has developed an especially productive connection with senior receiver Brayson Hurley, who leads the team with 98 receiving yards per game and 18 total touchdowns.

Hurley was particularly effective against Elkhart, catching five passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns. Junior receiver Mason Biernacki provides another dangerous option, averaging 64.1 receiving yards per game and adding 15 touchdowns of his own.

For Crown Point, the challenge will be finding ways to disrupt Penn's rhythm and keep the Kingsmen from turning the contest into another offensive showcase. The Bulldogs have scored 450 points this season while surrendering just 125, showing they can make plays on both sides of the football.

The stakes are significant for both programs. A victory would send either team into the Nov. 20 semifinal round, leaving just one more hurdle between them and a trip to the Class 6A state championship game.

Penn brings an explosive passing attack and an impressive defensive résumé into the matchup, but Crown Point has home-field advantage and an unbeaten record of its own. With two teams that have combined to win 22 games without a loss, Friday night's showdown has all the ingredients of a memorable postseason battle.

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