Washingtonville. The Crusaders cast a spell in dispatching the Wizards 28-13 in a non-conference football game
| 04 Oct 2021 | 04:21
Offensive tackle Ty Kohrs (54) blocks on the Crusaders’ point-after-attempt in the second quarter against Washingtonville. Photos by William Dimmit.
Crusader QB Michael Zrelak (7) scored on this 18-yard run to tie the game in the first half.
Jayden Coulanges (19) shows his speed as he outraces the Wizards’ defense for an 87-yard touchdown.
Liam Gallagher (5) returned this interception for a touchdown near the end of the first half.
On a perfect early October Saturday afternoon, Oct. 2, the Crusaders traveled to Washingtonville to take on the Wizards.
The Crusaders entered the game with a 1-2 record on the season, having defeated Warwick Valley the previous Friday 49-14.
The Wizards entered the game with a 0-3 record, having lost to Minisink Valley last week 28-14.
Washingtonville scores first
After the two teams traded punts on their first possessions, the Wizards ground attack got rolling and they moved the ball from their own 20 deep into the Crusaders’ end of the field.
Wizard running back Jake Pierro powered his way into the end zone from four yards out and the Wizards were up 7-0 at the beginning of the second period.
Then 21 Crusader straight points before half time
The Crusaders responded on their next possession when quarterback Michael Zrelak broke through a hole in the middle of the Wizards’ defense, slanted to the outside and scored from 18 yards out. Colin Douthit tied the score at 7 when he kicked the extra point.
On their next possession, Crusader Jayden Coulanges broke around the right end and outsprinted the Wizard defenders 87 yards to the end zone to put his team up 14-7.
The Wizards next possession ended in disaster. Crusader defensive back Liam Gallagher stepped in-front of a Wizard pas and took it to the house. With the extra point, the Crusaders looked like they were going to run away with the game as they went up 21-7.
The Wizards were not going away so easily. On the ensuing kickoff Wizard, Troy Burnett caught the ball at about the 10 yard line, broke through the Crusader picket line got to the sideline and scored from 90 yards away.
The extra point was no good and the Crusaders were up at the half 21-13.
The second half
Early in the second half, Zrelak hit Coulanges with a short pass and he scored from 35 yards out. When Douthit kicked his fourth extra point of the game, the Crusaders were in charge 28-13.
In the fourth quarter, the Wizards again drove down inside the Crusaders’ 20, but a fumble recovery by Gallagher in the end zone put an end to Wizards’ final hopes.
Next
The Crusaders 28-13 victory over the Wizards brings their record to 2-2 on the season. Their next game will be at Kingston on Friday.
- William Dimmit