The 2019 Canadian Tire Classic ended in a 27–27 draw. (Jeff D'Andrea/paNOW Staff)

By Jeff D’Andrea

It's football time

Biggest football game in Prince Albert kicking off on Friday

Oct 7, 2021 | 4:00 PM

There has been a ton of twists and turns in the brief history of the Canadian Tire Classic—the biggest high school football game of the year in Prince Albert that pits the Carlton Crusaders and St. Mary Marauders against each other.

This year’s Canadian Tire Classic kicks off at 6:30 p.m. at Max Clunie Field on Friday.

We’ve had blowouts and games won by razor-thin margins — even a tie. There wasn’t even a Canadian Tire Classic last year, for obvious reasons.

On Friday, we’ll learn what plot twists are ahead in the ninth edition of the Canadian Tire Classic. By all accounts, it should be an exciting matchup as both the Marauders and Crusaders come into the game in good form with 2–1 records.

After the 27–27 draw in 2019, the St. Mary Marauders won the Canadian Tire Classic the following week. (Jeff D’Andrea/paNOW Staff)

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The Marauders are coming off a 41–14 win over the Bethlehem Stars on Oct. 30. They also beat the Bedford Road Redhawks 21–0 on Sept. 16. Their lone defeat came against the Walter Murray Marauders 6–4 on Sept. 24.

The Crusaders won their first two games of the season, 37–0 over the Tommy Douglas Tigers and 34–24 over the Bethlehem Stars. In their last game, Sept. 30 against the Walter Murray Marauders, the Crusaders lost 45–27.

The 2019 Canadian Tire Classic ended in an unlikely 27–27 tie, but, just with how the scheduling and seeding worked, the two teams played the following week and the cup was carried over. The Marauders defeated the Crusaders 23–11 in the rematch and reclaimed the cup.

The Crusaders won their first-ever Canadian Tire Classic in 2018, defeating the Marauders 26–14. The Marauders won the first six cups between the two sides since it was formed in 2012 (22–8 win in 2017, 57–22 win in 2016, 20-7 win in 2015, 14-2 win in 2014, 17–12 in 2013, and 21–14 win in 2012).

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Jeff.dandrea@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW