The Crusaders meet St. Augustine in the annual Catholic League Rivalry Week game Saturday night at 7 p.m. at Tad Gormley Stadium.
The Purple Knights began league play with a 37-24 victory over Jesuit last weekend while Brother Martin lost to John Curtis 34-0.
Curtis is the preseason favorite to win the district and compete for the Division I state championship. Coach Mark Bonis knew it would be a challenge facing the Patriots. “When you play a team that talented and well-coached, you have to play a nearly perfect game to win. Our defense did good things, but I was disappointed we didn’t put points on the board. We moved the football at times but couldn’t finish drives.”
Bonis believes the turning point came in the first minutes of the game.
“We get a stop of defense on their opening drive. Then we put a great drive together.”
Then on a play-action pass, QB J.P. Pierce fumbled the ball as he faked a handoff to the halfback. “The ball hit an elbow and came out. If we put points on the board right there, we feel good. On the next snap, they score a touchdown. We also turned the ball over several times later in the game. We’ve got to take advantage of turnovers that the defense and special teams give us.”
St. Augustine is another “very talented” opponent, Bonis said, especially on defense where they return nine of eleven starters from last year’s team.
“They have a defensive tackle that is as good as they come. Their secondary is fast and athletic and will lock us up in man-to-man defense. They’re very fast and flow to the football well.”
On the other side of the ball, their starting quarterback got hurt in the jamboree but played sparingly last week. “We’re preparing for three quarterbacks.”
The one who played the most against Jesuit was shifted from wide receiver, Bonis said. “They’ve leaned on the running game since the quarterback went out, but the replacement is becoming more of a dual threat.”
The Crusaders “need to keep believing in the process,” Bonis said. “We’re getting better, but we have to become more consistent. It’s time for the young guys to step up.”
On Saturday, Crescent City Sports will have a live stream of the game, and it also will simulcast on WGSO 990 AM.
