The Jesuit Crusaders destroyed the Southridge Skyhawks last Friday with a final score of 63-0, a dominant win to celebrate Jesuit’s senior night.
The game featured big plays from many different players, including an interception from senior Braden Baluyut, a rushing touchdown from David Copeland, and a big sack from Drew Layfield.
The Skyhawks were shut down, with the Crusader defense only allowing 51 total yards.
The game started off with a strong defensive possession for the Crusaders, forcing the Skyhawks to punt the ball.
The Crusaders started off hot with a long run from junior Phineas Shiely immediately followed by a 35 yard receiving touchdown for senior Joe Stimpson.
After a Skyhawk fumble, they were forced to punt the ball which then allowed Jesuit’s Phineas Shiely to run the ball in for a 12 yard rushing touchdown.
The second quarter started off hot, with the Crusaders maintaining possession and QB Jack Wilson bringing in a 45 yard rushing touchdown, making the score 21-0 for the Crusaders.
The utter dominance continued, with a quick defensive possession followed by a 57 yard punt return touchdown for Joe Stimpson.
The Crusaders got the ball back yet again and Phineas Shiely ran it in for another touchdown, making the score 35-0.
The Skyhawks almost immediately fumbled the ball which gave the crusaders possession back. Junior Itzhak Sanchez then ran it in for another touchdown.
The Crusaders started with the ball in the second half and backup senior QB Harper Sage ran the ball in for the crusaders from the 4 yard line.
With the score being 49-0, the Skyhawks were desperate to score. With the ball on the 25 yard line, they looked to pass. Just when the Skyhawks were least expecting it, senior lineman Drew Layfield powered past their line, sacking the QB and sending shivers down the Southridge sideline.
“I’ve been waiting all season to get a chance to sack the QB and until our game against Southridge that opportunity hadn’t arrived for me. But after I got past the lineman, I saw my opportunity and went for it. The fact it happened on senior night was really special and it capped off the win for the team”, Layfield said.
With the ball on the 27 yard line and a long 2nd down ahead, the Crusaders needed a big play. senior David Copeland then took the ball and powered through the Southridge defense, scoring his first touchdown of the season and upping the score for the Crusaders 56-0.
“The O-line blew it open, I hit the hole hard, and the sideline went wild”, Copeland said.
With 8 minutes left, Southridge was desperate to score. They threw the ball up intended for a receiver but it was overthrown and senior Braden Baluyut jumped up and intercepted the ball.
“When the QB threw the ball, I knew I could get to it. When I caught it, I was super surprised and it was something I will always remember”, Baluyut said.
With 1 minute left in the game, the Crusaders were in scoring position. Junior Robbie Cammann ran the ball in for the final touchdown of the game.
The game ended with a dominant score of 63-0, a good way to celebrate senior night for Jesuit.
The Crusaders play on Halloween night at Sunset Highschool, their final game of the regular season with hopes of ending the season 7-2.
