by Brother Neal Golden, S.C. ’57 CJ
The Crusaders improved their record to 3-0 with a thrilling 56-42 victory over Tioga in a road game that replaced the cancelled district game against St. Augustine. Brother Martin trailed 42-35 in the third quarter before scoring the last 21 points. The defense accounted for two of the Crusaders’ eight touchdowns – a 30-yard interception return by senior LB Noah Chachere ’21 and a 90-yard scoop and score by sophomore CB Torey Lambert ’23, who also had a pick earlier in the game.
Other touchdowns came on 1-yard and 15-yard runs by senior Jaylon Spears ’21, a 47-yard reception by senior Isaiah Torregano ’21, a 16-yard keeper by junior QB Garrett Mmahat ’22, and junior Jordan Thomas’s runs of 23 yards and 49 yards.
Coach Mark Bonis hoped for a challenging road game that would help his team improve in all three phases – offense, defense, and special teams. “Tioga was as good as advertised. Offensively, they are very talented with good skill players. The quarterback did a great job of keeping plays alive with his feet and converting third downs.” He said the most improved phase last week was special teams. “Our kickers, Jacob Zimmer ’23 and Leyton Liuzza ’23, both had very good games. They improved even throughout the game. The coverage teams did a good job.”
As in the Jesuit game, the Crusaders came from behind and finished strong. “The way we practice, we have always felt very good about finishing games. Everything was up in the air during the spring and summer because of the virus. We couldn’t do what we usually do. We maximized our time as best as possible and felt we’d be in good shape conditioning-wise.”
The Crusaders also demonstrated again that they can make clutch plays on both sides of the ball. “We know certain guys will make plays, but other guys have to step up. We want every one of our guys on the field to have the courage and confidence to be the guy to make a crucial play. It’s third down, and I’m on defense. I want them to come my way. On offense, I want the ball thrown to me.”
Martin now prepares for the defending Division I state champions from Archbishop Rummel. The Raiders lost many seniors but still have many good players returning. “They have 11 really good players on defense and 11 really good players on offense. I don’t know that we’ll ever see the type of defense Rummel had last year, but they are still blessed talent-wise. The defense is less experienced but just as fast. Their 6’ 190lb senior running back Logan Diggs, a Notre Dame commitment, and our Jaylon Spears are the two best in the area. Like Jaylon, Diggs is a complete back who runs, catches passes, and blocks. The 6’3” 220lb senior QB Kyle Wickersham is also a Division I prospect who throws the ball well and runs well. They graduated some key guys in the offensive line. This year, they’re not as big but more athletic. They’ve won 15 in a row. We’re excited to face the defending champs. After this game, we’ll know exactly where we stand across the state.”
Rummel has played only two games – both romps: Hammond 41-0 and Calvary Baptist in Shreveport 31-13. Have you learned much from videos of those games? “They confirm what we already know. We’ve played them four times in the last three years. They haven’t changed much because they haven’t needed to. We’ll see wrinkles they haven’t used before because they’re preparing for district games.”
The Raider program has made a seamless transition in the last two years from longtime coach Jay Roth to Nick Monica, who was the defensive coordinator. “He’s a great football coach who was raised by a coach. He has a great staff with very little turnover, which is so important in this league.”
Do you expect as much scoring as in the Jesuit and Tioga games? “Probably not. But I just want to find a way to win the football game. 3-0 or 63-62.”
