#CFC50 game preview (MB): St. Paul’s Crusaders meet the Murdoch MacKay Clansmen

This Friday night the #CFC50 ranked No. 11 St.Paul’s Crusaders meet the Murdoch MacKay Clansmen in their quest for another perfect season. The Crusaders are coming off of a 21-20 comeback victory against the defending champions Vincent Massey Trojans, while the Clansmen lost their game against Grant Park, 34-21.

In last week’s loss to Grant Park, head coach Thomas Lange thought his team played well and he was pretty pleased for the most part. Lange’s squad ran into some penalty trouble in the second half, but were still within a touchdown under two minutes to go. “Grant Park is a good team and well coached but I think if we were able to stay healthy it would have been closer in the end,” mentioned Lange. “Our boys need to work on trusting each other to do their jobs, and not to try and do too much, that was where most of our mistakes were made against Grant Park.”

QB Landon Wilkinson

QB Landon Wilkinson

The Clansmen’s strengths are their team and community. Lange explained, “When we are healthy we have play makers at almost every position.”

Senior standouts on Murdoch are QB Landon Wilkinson, RB Brandon Urciuoli, WR Timmy Solypa, LB Braiden Polkrant, safety Trentin Eyssens, DB Trae McNeil, OL Hunter Brown, Austin Dejong and FB Halem Hrizai.

One of Murdoch MacKay’s standouts is fullback Halem Hrizai. “Halem is elite at almost every position in the front 7 of the defense as well as being the best fullback in the province,” said Coach. Hrizai won Murdoch’s leadership award last season and has a good chance at repeating. Lange added, “It’s his leadership, however, that really matters.”

During the offseason, the Clansmen said goodbye to some great seniors. Liam Grace was the team captain last season and is with the Manitoba Bisons this year, Jessie Zajaros is tearing up the BC Junior League and Gage Chaboyer, Murdoch’s rock at O-line for four years, moved on. “None of those guys can be replaced, but the guys who have stepped up have done a great job at starting their own legacies as Clansmen,” said Lange.

If the Clansmen want to hang with the Crusaders they will have to play a perfect game. Coach admitted, “St. Paul’s is a different animal. It’s not so much not knowing what they are going to do, but trying to stop it.”

The St.Paul’s Crusaders won in a crazy comeback victory against the Vincent Massey Trojans last week, 21-20. St.Paul’s was shutout in the first half of football, but managed to win by scoring 21 straight points in the second half. “I think we were able to clean up our penalties which were a major problem in the first half. As well we made a few defensive adjustments that helped us and obviously the punt return touchdown really provided a spark,” mentioned coach Stacy Dainard.

In the victory over Vincent Massey, St.Paul’s Remis Tshiovo earned special teams player of the week in the Potter division of the WHSFL. Tshiovo, a senior a St.Paul’s, had 3 punt returns for 65 yards and a touchdown, and 3 kickoff returns for 80 yards. Remis is also the leading receiver in the league with 84 yards on 3 catches. “Remis’ passion for football and his teammates is what makes him unique,” said Dainard. “He demands a high level of performance out of himself which sets a high bar for his teammates.”

Not only does St.Paul’s have the top special teams player, but they also boast the top quarterback after week 1. Riley Naujoks earned the top spot by throwing for 215 yards with two touchdown and two interceptions.

Shae Weekes

Also on St.Paul’s roster is #CFC100 Shae Weekes who missed the entired 2015 due to injury, but the Crusaders are excited to have him back on the roster.

In Friday night’s game, St.Paul’s will have to be their best at defending the pass because of Murdoch’s highly skilled passing game. Coach added, “As always having success on offense will help to keep our opponent’s offense off of the field.”

There are no injuries to report, but there are some illnesses that will present come challenges to the Crusaders this week.

We at CFC predict that the St.Paul’s Crusaders will take this one but the Murdoch MacKay Clansmen won’t make it easy on them. Game time is 5:00 pm at Transcona Nationals Field.

 

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