NB: Crusaders earn birth in Championship Game. (10 man)

The Kennebecasis Valley High School Crusaders football team earned the right to defend there title on Friday night , as they rallied from a 14-0 deficit to eventually beat the ST. Malachy’s Memorial Saints 31-14 at Usher Miller field.

In the first Half , The Saints came out hard and struck early , St. Malachy’s jumped to a 14-0 lead forcing key turnovers in the first half , but just when it looked like this would be the Saints day , they Crusaders woke up. Led by 2010 all star Pivot Ryan Foster , the comeback began before the half ended . The Crusaders managed to get a major before the 1st half ended , making the score 14-7 at halftime. When the second half began , The Crusaders took the field and looked like the dominant force they have been all year, They struck early in the half and tied the score at 14. The Saints played hard and did move the ball , but were not able to put any points on the board. After that point , it was all Crusaders.

The Crusaders showed lots of character in the victory , Ryan foster scored 2 rushing touchdowns in the win and Running back Quentin Chown added 2 more. The Crusaders also added a field goal to round up their scoring.

Crusaders Head Coach Chris Hopkins was pleased with the effort and thought his team really came together at halftime.

“The team showed lots of heart out there tonight , I’m proud of my boys , they fought hard and never gave up , This win really brought the guys together ” – said a smiling Hopkins , heading to the Championship game next week.

The Crusaders remained undefeated on the season with the victory and will face the Mathieu-Martin Matadors in Saturday’s final. The Matadors beat the ST. Stephen High School Spartans 21-18 in their semi final. The 2 teams met once in the regular season in week 5 with the Crusaders coming out on top 50-14. Coach Hopkins’ expects a different team on Saturday.

“The Matadors have a good program and i expect them to come out hard in the championship game , we need to keep working hard in practice and if we keep our focus , good things will come ” said Hopkins.

The championship game is set for noon on Saturday afternoon at Rocky Stone field in Moncton.

(photo courtesy of Google images / team facebook page)