Crusaders dispatch Central Valley Vikings 42-14 to improve to 2-1

MONTGOMERY — On a warm humid night, Sept. 15, , the Monroe-Woodbury Varsity Football Team traveled to Valley Central High School to take on the Vikings.
The Crusaders entered the game with a 1-1 record, having beaten Washingtonville the previous week.
On this evening, the Crusaders offense came out strong. After moving the ball on the ground down the field, Bradley Byrnes punched one in from 10 yards out and Mike Boyle added the extra point to make it 7-0.
With 3:41 left in the first quarter, Curtis Foster caught a Steven Campione pass for a score and Boyle added the PAT as the team went up 14-0.
Second quarterThe second quarter saw the Crusader defense with their backs against the wall. After holding the Vikings to a field goal attempt on their 10-yard line and blocking the kick, the Vikings were given a first and goal on a controversial call.
But Crusader Ken Hernadez came up with a diving interception in the end zone to keep the Vikings off the score board.
Later in the second quarter the Vikings scored on a 15-yard touchdown pass to bring the score to 14-7.
Campione answered with a one-yard quarterback keeper to give the Crusaders some breathing room.
But with just 40 seconds left in the first half, the Vikings hit another touchdown pass and the teams entered the half just seven points apart.
Third quarterWith the humidity taking its toll on both teams, the Crusader starters and reserves stepped up and took control of the second half.
John McCormick caught a Campione touchdown pass to increase the Crusaders lead in the third quarter to 14 points.
Final quarterIn the fourth quarter, the Crusaders put the Vikings away when Campione ran one in from 12 yards out and Peter Mastropolo took a hand off and raced around the end from 24 yards out for the score.
The Crusaders 42-14 victory over the Vikings brings their record to 2-1 on the season .
Next: at KingstonTheir next game will be at Kingston on Saturday night at 7 p.m.
- William Dimmit