Last Friday night at Bishop Blanchet, the Crusaders were the visitors for the first district game of the season and were able to overcome a difficult first half for a 37-20 Crusader victory.
Jeremiah Burroughs carried Crusaders to a victory with an outstanding offensive game consisting of 203 rushing yards with 17 carries.
Despite an early strike from Bears QB Cole Allegro to Mason Mendelles put the Bears out in front on the opening play with an 81-yard touchdown. But the Crusaders fought back, and at the end of the first quarter, a big hit from Wassie Luglobi in the back field resulted in a fumble recovery by Cade Boehl to plant the EC offense in Bear territory. Burroughs found his way back into the end zone to allow the Crusaders to get the lead back in a now 14-7 game.
Immediately after the Bears touchdown, EC responded on offense with an explosive 26-yard run from Burroughs. Eastside Catholic came back with a touchdown pass to Carson McKelheer to make the game tied 7-7.
In the start of the second quarter, both teams were forced to punt. Blanchet was able to recover their own punt putting them back on offense. Bears QB completed a 19-yard pass to Hans Hoerschelmann for the touchdown to tie the game back up to 14-14.
EC answered this with a handoff to Burroughs for a touchdown but had a field goal blocked by the Bears to leave the game at 20-14 before halftime.
Even with a 20-14 lead, the icing on cake came in the 3rd quarter when Eastside Catholic defensive end Cody Thumlert blocks a pass from Allegro stopping what the Bears hoped would turn around their game. A big first down from Carson Downs gave EC offense the momentum for another big run which allowed for Burroughs to make his way down the field. EC was able to extend their lead over the Bears on a pass from QB Isaac Corey to McKelheer for another Crusader touchdown.
Two big runs for Eastside Catholic running back Nick Jones resulted in another touchdown and extra point for the Crusaders. Blanchet finished the game with a touchdown pass resulting in a final score of 37-20 allowing Eastside Catholic to take the win and stay undefeated.
Next Friday at home, the Crusaders will play the Garfield Bulldogs. Eastside Catholic will work to improve on the 2-0 season record. Garfield will be going into this game on a 1-1 season record after their loss to Ballard. The Bears who are now 0-2, will play Roosevelt next Friday with a record of 1-1.
