Mike Cranshaw to continue football career at Loras

By John Burbridge sports@charlescitypress.com

CHARLES CITY — There was a point late during last football season where you wanted to tell Mike Cranshaw to shut it down and give himself time to heal for the upcoming basketball season.

During his first year as the Comets’ starting quarterback amid a newly installed run-option offense, Cranshaw took more than his share of lumps.

“I had foot problems … ankle problems … back problems,” Cranshaw said of the rigors of past season, where he managed to start every game under center, except one when he was spelled by his younger brother, Marcus.

The elder Cranshaw managed shake off the bumps and bruises to finish the campaign. But the Comets were already eliminated from postseason play, while the Charles City basketball team had high expectations to make it to the state finals.

So why did Cranshaw stick with football to the bitter end?

“I wanted to be there for my teammates,” Cranshaw said. “I wasn’t going to quit on them. I just had to work through the injuries.”

The Comets didn’t pass as much as in previous years, but when they did go upstairs on the strength of Cranshaw’s arm, they were rather efficient and effective.

Cranshaw completed more than 50 percent of his passes for 661 yards while averaging just under 18 yards per completion, which led the district and was among the top averages in the state.

Cranshaw also was a key all-around player on the basketball team, which he started for since his sophomore year. During nights where the Comets’ outside shots were not falling, Cranshaw reliably would take up the slack with his 3-point-play drives into the paint where he would often absorb contact yet manage to hang in the air and deftly use the glass to sink shots.

Like a parent who won’t reveal which of his kids he loves the most, Cranshaw says he loves basketball and football about the same. He also had ambitions to continue to play one of those sports in college.

So which is it going to be?

“I could have gone either way, but Loras College and its coaching staff made me feel at home,” Cranshaw said about deciding to play football for the NCAA Division III Duhawks.

Cranshaw signed his letter of intent on May 17.

“But I made the decision about two weeks ago,” he said.

Cranshaw says he will try to secure a spot at receiver or defensive back … or both … while majoring in elementary education at the Dubuque school.

One of Cranshaw’s teammates, Noah Schlader, is also continuing his athletic career at Loras as a member of the Duhawk basketball team.