Game of the Week: Crusaders prepare to take on new-look Rough Riders

This Friday, the No. 1 and No. 3 Metro League teams will battle it out, in Memorial Stadium at 7PM.

Eastside Catholic recently took a tough 20-0 loss to O’Dea, but the Crusaders’ spirits are high after their most recent game — a convincing 41-7 win over Metro League opponent Ballard.

As Eastside is trying to revamp their season after the recent loss, they had taken from O’Dea, but their spirits are high after the win they had in last game against metro league opponent Ballard 41-7.

Roosevelt has recently seen much success after the coaching change they went through in the ’23-’24 season, hiring former NFL champion Sam Adams (right). Adams’ son also attended Eastside Catholic and is currently playing for the Washington Huskies.

Since Adams’ arrival, the Rough Riders have been molded in to state championship contenders. Roosevelt has added multiple 3-star transfers such as Cassidy Bolong-Banks, Nolan McWilliams, Pana Tupatala, Idaho Commit Jaymar Tasi, and Jubilee Siitia-Tasi. And those are just the stars they have added for the class of ’25.

Eastside Catholic’s season has had many ups and downs, but something they are looking forward to is being fully healthy again. Star lineman and 2023-2024 Metro League Lineman of the Year Jojo Maututia and starting quarterback Isaac Corey will be returning for the Crusaders this week. After Maututia was battling a sprained toe and Corey a sprained shoulder to his throwing arm, the pair’s return to action will provide EC with a much needed boost on offense.

The Rough Riders will be expecting great games from their many playmakers, especially their quarterback Dalton Anderson. The Rough Riders will need a strong showing from their offensive line to give Anderson enough time to throw, and with the return of EC’s quarterback, the Roosevelt defense will need to stick to their game plan and play disciplined ball.

The Crusaders will need a big game out of the offense as a unit. As it seems the secondary to be the weak point for the Crusaders star studded defense, they are expecting are big game out of their secondary leader star defensive back Jaylyn Keller. Keller hasn’t allowed a touchdown this season, but his skills will be put to the test by the Roosevelt offense.

Stay tuned and watch out for this highly anticipated Metro matchup as the RoughRiders and Crusaders go to war.