Pine Bush. Crusaders defeat Pine Bush, will face NFA next with first-place on the line
| 27 Oct 2021 | 12:21
Crusader Eryk Shammgod rushed for 143 yards and scored two touchdowns in the game. Photos by William Dimmit.
Crusader linebacker Mike Scancarello blocked the Bushmen’s punt and ran it in for a touchdown.
The Crusaders defense looked strong against Pine Bush as the team prepares for the NFA Goldbacks.
Kavan Tuttle gets up after making a beautiful catch for a Crusader touchdown in the first quarter against Pine Bush.
On a cool and cloudy Friday night, Oct. 22, the Crusaders traveled to Pine Bush to take on the Bushmen.
The Crusaders entered the game with a 4-2 record on the season after beat Middletown 26-21 a week earlier.
The Bushmen entered the game with a 0-6 record after loosing to Newburgh last week 41-14.
The Crusaders scored on their opening drive when QB Michael Zrelak found Kavan Tuttle in the end zone where he made a leaping catch over the Bushmen defender for the 34-yard touchdown. When Colin Douthit kicked the extra point the Crusaders were up 7-0.
In the second quarter the Crusaders struck again when Eryk Shammgod took a pitch from Zrelak, swept around right end, broke through a few defenders and 43 yards later put the Crusaders up 13-0.
After the Crusaders defense held the Bushmen deep in their zone on their next possession. Kicker and defensive linemen Douthit was credited with a safety when the snap on the punt sailed over the Pine Bush punter’s head and he tackled the punter in the end zone to give the Crusaders a 15-0 lead.
The Crusaders increased their lead on their next possession when Shammgod broke through the middle of the Bushmen’s defense to score his second touchdown of the game. With a successful point after kick, The score was 22-0 at the half.
In the third quarter, the Crusaders resumed control of the game. Senior linebacker Mike Scancarello blocked a Pine Bush punt, recovered the loose ball and ran it in for the score.
The Crusaders were now up 29-0.
In the fourth quarter, the Crusaders pushed their lead to 35. James Mastropolo took a handoff on a counter play and weaved his way through the Pine Bush defense and scored on a 19-yard touchdown run.
At that point, Coach James Sciarra pull the starters out of the game. In the last few minutes of the game the Bushmen finally got on the score board when they were able score two touchdowns on the ground to make the score more respectable.
The Crusaders’ 35-14 victory over the Bushmen brings their record to 5-2 on the season. The stage is now set for this week’s season finale when they battle the Goldbacks of Newburgh for first place in the division.
The game against NFA has been moved from Friday night to Saturday, Oct. 30, at 1 p.m. at Monroe-Woodbury High School.
- William Dimmit