NORTH ROBINSON -- Colonel Crawford's perfect season keeps getting better each outing.

On Saturday night the Eagles added a thrilling playoff odyssey to this year's story, knocking off Liberty Center 34-28 in overtime to reach the Division VI, Region 22 semifinals.

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Senior Tristan Cross was again the standout. This time the 6-foot-2, 215-pound powerhouse smashed for 200 yards on 23 carries and scored three touchdowns, including the game-winning 2-yard blast in overtime.

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The victory pits coach Ryan Teglovic's 8-0 squad against third-seeded Sherwood Fairview next weekend. The Apaches staved off a furious fourth-quarter rally to top Northwood 38-36 on Saturday night at Defiance.

It was no easy task for C.C. to earn their date either.

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Seventh-seeded Liberty Center (6-3) moved on top 7-0 on a 5-yard touchdown run by Max Phillips, his 21st score of the season. The Eagles tied it at 7-7 on a 1-yard plunge by Cross and Tyler Christman's PAT.

That was the score at the end of the first quarter and remained that way into the half.

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In the third period, Colonel Crawford quarterback Brock Rizhaupt ripped off a 60-yard TD dash and the extra point gave the hosts their first lead of the night, 14-7. Later in the quarter, Cross got loose on a spectacular, 77-yard scoring dash and the PAT pushed the margin to 21-7 heading to the final 12 minutes.

Then things got tight.

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The Tigers closed to within 21-14 on a 23-yard jaunt by Phillips early in the fourth quarter. That ignited an offensive eruption.

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Cade Hamilton's 9-yard touchdown run gave C.C. a seemingly safe 28-14 lead -- but it wasn't.

Liberty Center responded with a pair of 8-yard TD passes, the second one to Evan Conrad that sent the game to overtime.

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Once there, Cross struck again and the Eagles made a defensive stand to finish it.

This marked the first time all season the Tigers have been held under 35 points.

Ritzhaupt was 8 of 17 passing for 101 yards and added 57 yards rushing. Colonel Crawford's punishing ground game carried the day, racking up 289 yards to 159 for the Tigers. C.C. had more yards in total offense too, 390-319.

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Liberty Center had an advantage in first downs, 19-15, but was hurt by 11 penalties for 99 yards.

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