Sign up for the paNOW newsletter

Crusaders look to capture first Canadian Tire Classic

Sep 20, 2017 | 5:00 PM

The Canadian Tire Classic has been a fun, traditional rivalry game between the two Prince Albert senior high school football teams, the Carlton Crusaders and the St. Mary Marauders.

In terms of the results, the Marauders have dominated the Classic. They’ve won the trophy each year since the Classic was introduced in 2012.

2016: Marauders 57 Crusaders 22

2015: Marauders 20 Crusaders 7

2014: Marauders 14 Crusaders 2

2013: Marauders 17 Crusaders 12

2012: Marauders 21 Crusaders 14

But the Crusaders aim to change that this year.

“I think the team that’s going to be the most prepared is the team that’s best off come Thursday,” Crusaders head coach Lindsay Strachan said. “We have to know our assignments. Up until now, our execution hasn’t been where we want it to be.

“We have a great opportunity on Thursday to be a better football team than we were last week.”

Like the Marauders, the Crusaders started the year with a 0-2 record. But the Crusaders were blown out 42-7 to Evan Hardy last week on the road, while the Marauders lost by just one point, 18-17 to Walter Murray.

With an especially young team this year, the Crusaders know they need time to improve. They’ll hope by Thursday that the two games they played are enough to face the Marauders, who have the smallest numbers of players they’ve had in a long while.

“With a young group, you never really know what’s going to happen,” Strachan said. “Every game we go in, it’s exciting to see who steps up to the plate and gets better. I think right now, we’ve got maybe 10 players that have played senior football before.

“Every day we’re getting better. I’m just excited to see who steps up on Thursday.”

Will the Crusaders buck the trend and win their first Canadian Tire Classic?

Will the Marauders extend their Classic dynasty to six years?

We will find out on Thursday, 6 p.m. at Max Clunie Field.

 

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW