A balanced attack by the Crusaders (4-0) helped Brother Martin win 35-26 over the East Ascension Spartans.
After a slow start, East Ascension struck first on an electrifying 45 touchdown run by junior quarterback Kyran Irvin with 3:23 in the first quarter. But, Crusader quarterback Jake Broggi answered right back connecting on a 63-yard touchdown pass to Jeremy Singleton.
At the start of the second quarter, the Spartans recaptured the lead on a 65 yard scoring pass, but nearing halftime, Broggi threw his second touchdown for the day for 14-yard touchdown pass to Kyler Johnson and tied things up, 14-14.
In the second half, the Crusaders started using the legs of its running back duo, and the Spartans had trouble keeping up. On the opening drive of the third quarter, Jordan-Swilling ran it in from nine-yards out to give the visitors their first lead of the night. However, the Spartans answered right back but a missed extra point to keep East Ascension down, 21-20.
Running out of a wildcat formation, Jordan-Swilling extended the lead to eight on a 41 yard run. East Ascension answered back midway through the fourth quarter on a two-yard touchdown run that drew the Spartans within two after a failed two point conversion.
With 2:10 remaining, Andrew McGuire made a 39-yard reception to give Brother Martin a first down and the opportunity to score on the next run. Jared West took advantage of the opportunity, running the ball in for an eight-yard touchdown run with just 1:07 remaining in the game to make it 35-26.
On East Ascension’s final drive, Andrew Benfatti intercepted the ball with 35 seconds to go and returned it for 50 yards all the way to the 20-yard line. On the next possession, the Crusaders were able to run out the clock and clinch the win.
Broggi finished the night 16-23 for 300 yards and two touchdowns with his favorite target Singleton catching four tosses for 113 yards. Jordan-Swilling (2 TDs), who picked up 74 yards on just seven carries while West (1 TD) finished with 29 carries for 190 yards. The team finished with 558 yards of total offense on the evening.
Brother Martin concludes a three-game road swing next Friday in Houma against Vandebilt Catholic.
