In the second season of high school football at John Paul II Collegiate, the Crusaders opened the regular season on the right note.
The Crusaders played in Kindersley Friday and came away with a 36-6 victory. Not only do the Crusaders have a veteran team with 18 Grade 12 players, but the experience from last year and play in exhibition showed early in the game according to head coach Bruce Yockey. Kindersley scored the first points of the game, but the Crusaders kept their composure and focused to turn the score in their favour.
"Last year that might have set us back, or in panic mode or on our heels, but everyone just stayed together out there," explained Yockey. "They realized they made a couple mistakes out there and just needed to correct those and let our offence get out on the field. Everyone stayed calm. It was kind of a quiet confidence. Everyone went about their business and the game turned around in our favour."
It wasn't only the defence, which was expected to be the strength of the team this season, that played well Thursday. The offence put up four touchdowns and spread the ball around, keeping Kinderlsey guessing.
"It was really good overall, on both sides of the ball," said Yockey. "We moved the ball well, we put points up and created a real good balance so that our defence could get off the field, get some rest and come out and play aggressive. It was a nice balance between the run and passing game."
The aggressive play by the Crusaders' defence led to a touchdown off a blocked punt and an interception.
Looking ahead to their next game, the Crusaders were excited to be playing at home in front of their supporters as they faced the 0-1 Meadow Lake Spartans at Beaver Lions Stadium.
"We have been telling the kids all along, we are not going to sneak up on anybody anymore this year. We have to earn each and every victory. The kids are confident we are confident that we match up well with anybody in our conference and we go out with the idea that we expect to win."
