• Eighteen returning lettermen boosted the Crusaders' hopes.
• TB Nick Blount would lead the versatile offense that could run from the traditional single wing or from the split-T, the "new look" in the collegiate ranks as epitomized by Bud Wilkinson's Oklahoma Sooners.
• Assistant coach M. L. Lagarde concocted the 6-1-2-2 "umbrella" defense. The one LB was Joe Mahoney. C Ronnie Senac moved to DB. Blount and FB Ralph Schindler were replaced by Bill Connick and Jimmy Schmidt when the opponent had the ball.
• Dave Campos served as Toribio's all-round player. The 192 lb "fifth year senior" (along with Jack Voelker, Sidney Reso, Senac, and Mahoney) lined up at blocking back in the single wing and played some fullback. He would also see duty as a defensive tackle.
• Eddie Arms also practiced multiple positions: right halfback in the single wing and quarterback in the split-T. He also played guard on defense.
• The team practiced in City Park on Marconi Drive except on rainy days when they'd work out in the gym. And water was not provided during practice, as was the custom of the day.

Excitement mounted for the '52 season when the first Associated Press state poll came out.

1. Istrouma
2. Sulphur
3. Fair Park
4. Holy Cross
5. Jesuit
6. Lake Charles
7. Terrebonne
8. Catholic High
9. Ouachita
10. St. Aloysius
    
    
• This was heady company for the Crimson Knights, who, packed with speed, size, and experience, would exceed their predicted ranking.
• Adding to the momentum were the school's state championships in basketball and baseball earlier in the calendar year.

After dispatching #8 Catholic High 19-0 in Baton Rouge, the Crusaders prepared for an early season test against Jesuit.

• In previewing the game, TP Prep Writer N. Charles Wicker wrote: St. Aloysius has the defensive power, and Jesuit has the speed in its backfield.
• Toribio had faced his high school coach, Gernon Brown three times, tying the first and losing the next two. Overall, the Crusaders had won only two of the 25 games in the series.
• The Jays had beaten Baton Rouge and Redemptorist, wearing down both teams in the second half. They joined the Knights as the only two undefeated teams left in the city.

16,000, the largest crowd in the state so far that season, saw the Crusader defense live up to its billing, holding the Blue Jays to just two first downs and only 38y on the ground. Young Peter Finney wrote in the States-Item that the Crusader forward wall turned in one of the greatest defensive jobs ever witnessed in City Park Stadium.

• Q1: Both defenses controlled the line of scrimmage so that neither team could mount any kind of sustained drive.
• Q2: Blount really put the Jays' backs against the wall when he quick kicked out on the six-inch line. Despite favorable field position to start three possessions, Aloysius was not able to push the ball across the goal. After Blount's sensational boot, James Lockhart got off a weak punt against the wind to give SA the ball at the 13. However, Reggie Trahant halted the threat by intercepting Blount's pass at the nine, returning it to the 25. Aloysius had another chance when Connick recovered Sidney Gelpi's fumble at the 20 on the first play. But the Blue Jays held and punted to the SA 35. Blount connected with Mike Huber for a first down before a 15y run by Connick put the pigskin at the 10. After a gain of one, Blount fumbled, Bob Drouilet recovering for Jesuit.
• Q3: On the third play, Blue Jay Donald Trahan attempted a screen pass, lobbing the ball from his own 28 over the onrushing linemen into the waiting arms of Jack Voelker who could have walked over but instead ran in for the only touchdown of the contest. Blount converted. During the period, Arnoult and Al Oser of Jesuit were ejected for fighting.
• Q4: The Crimson defense made the seven points stand up as Jesuit never threatened the entire game. The Jays made their initial first down on a roughing penalty, then gained their second and final first with five minutes left on Julius Werling's end-around. Throughout the evening, the Saints' goal line, as Finney penned, was as safe as a baby in mama's arms. ... A Jesuit score seemed as remote as the Belgian Congo.

Toribio said after the game, We're undefeated, untied, unscored on and uninspiring offensively.

• Nevertheless, the Crusaders were good enough to finish the season undefeated, with only a tie against Warren Easton spoiling their record. That was good enough for the first city championship in football for the school that began football in 1951. The most points scored against Aloysius in any game was 12 by Redemptorist.
• The Crusaders then made their first appearance in the state playoffs and knocked off mighty Istrouma in Baton Rouge 14-13 to win the right to meet the North Louisiana champions from Fair Park of Shreveport.
• Led by future LSU star FB Tommy Davis, the Indians scored 20 points in the second half to defeat Aloysius 20-0 before a crowd estimated at 15,000 (including yours truly) in City Park Stadium.