The Crusader Football Team is putting last Saturday’s loss to Petal (Miss.) behind them — but holding on to lessons learned.
Thanks to a pass interception on their first possession after the Panthers’ touchdown on the game’s opening drive and a fumble on the kickoff after the visitors’ second score, the Crusaders found themselves trailing 20-0 after running only four offensive plays.
But the Crimson and Gold bounced back and dominated the second period following a fake punt by Petal that failed deep in their territory. Two Brother Martin drives ended inside the 10 with no points before Quarterback John-Paul Pierce scored on a 15-yard run with 37 seconds left in the half.
The score stayed 20-7 until Petal scored with 4:40 left in the third quarter on a jump ball pass that the taller receiver grabbed as the defender fell down. Deuce Watts, who with his brother, Nataurean, provides double trouble for any opponent, trotted into the end zone to complete the 61-yard play that spoiled any hopes of a Crusader comeback. Chris Smith’s 1-yard run in the last period completed the Brother Martin scoring.
“In all three phases, we need to do a better job of finishing,” said Coach Mark Bonis. “My biggest fear came to pass against Petal. They were more efficient, more in mid-season form than we were.”
The Crusader passing game wasn’t sharp.
“We’re such a time-based offense. You could really tell our timing was off. It’s no excuse; it’s just the truth,” Bonis said. “We did not get in the work we needed during the week. We’ve got to do a better job of getting off the field on third downs defensively and do a better job of finishing drives offensively.”
Because of the weather, the Crusaders finally got their first “Day One” practice for an upcoming opponent Tuesday. That’s the day the game plan is installed.
“We definitely believe we’ll see tremendous improvement from game one to game two.”
The good news from the Petal game was that no Crusader suffered an injury that will sideline him Saturday night against Warren Easton.
Bonis calls the Eagles “very talented, very skillful. They’re probably the pick in the New Orleans area to make a run at the 4A state title.”
They have an athlete that Bonis thinks is even better than No. 8 for Petal, Nataurean Watts.
“Easton’s quarterback is almost video-game like,” Bonis said. That player, junior Lance Legendre, is a dual threat who is rated three stars by rivals.com.
“I watched a clip of their jamboree game against St. Augustine. He kept the play alive for nine seconds, then passed 73 yards for a jump-ball touchdown.”
But Legendre isn’t the only elite player for the Eagles. “They have a whole bunch of Division I athletes on their team,” Bonis said.
“Their nose guard is shorter but bigger than the one we faced against Petal. He’s about 280 lbs. He’s an every down player with a great motor,” Bonis said. “Offensively, they’ve got weapons all over the place.”
Is Easton better than Petal?
“Athletically, yes. But Petal was better prepared because they’re further along in their season,” Bonis said. “Easton is in the same boat with us regarding the amount of practice.”
Brother Martin is the visiting team for the 7 p.m. clash Saturday night at Tad Gormley Stadium.
