By Jeff D'Andrea

Crusaders roll into playoffs on a streak, ready for Stars rematch

Oct 19, 2018 | 9:09 PM

The Carlton Crusaders senior football team are heading in to the postseason with all kinds of confidence. 

They won their fifth straight game on Friday, defeating the E.D. Feehan Trojans 35-0 at Max Clunie Field to fly into the playoffs with a head of steam.

“We’re on a bit of a role,” Crusaders head coach Lindsay Strachan said. “All year long, we were trying to play our best football at this time of year—so now it’s time to prove it.”

That time to prove it will be next week against the Bethlehem Stars in the Tier II playoffs. That game will be played on Oct. 25 in Saskatoon.

The Stars handed the Crusaders a loss in a 22-20 thriller back in their first game on Sept. 7. The Stars blocked a field goal from 10-yards out that would have given the Crusaders the win.

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Although both teams have changed and developed quite a bit since the first week, but Strachan believes there’s a lot to take away from the game.

“I’m sure lots of tendencies that they showed against [us] formation-wise are going to hold pretty true,” Strachan said. “Obviously, they’re different and we’re different, we got to get back in the film room a bit. But I think there’s lots to take from, even if it was a long time ago.”

They’ll go into that game with a team, specifically their quarterback, on fire and full of confidence.

Crusaders quarterback Cody Huntley who threw for all five of the Crusaders’ touchdowns on Thursday against the Trojans.

He found Kael Leachman twice for touchdowns, as well as Caleb Guenther, Ethan Cartier and a long 55-yard bomb to Keone Tyler.

“He’s playing good football for us right now,” Strachan said. “He’s putting the ball in a good spot and guys are stepping up and making plays. We’re rolling as a group.”

From the perspective on Huntley, he credited his experienced Grade 12 group of receivers for getting open, breaking tackles and getting down the field.

“Honestly, it was my receivers just getting open and playing the game that we can play,” Huntley said.

The only losses on the Crusaders’ season came in their first two games, and were both very narrow losses: the 22-20 defeat to the Stars and a 24-19 decision to North Battleford. They’ve been undefeated ever since, including their 26-14 victory over the St. Mary Marauders to capture their first ever Canadian Tire Classic cup over their P.A. rivals.

Jeff.dandrea@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @jeff_paNOW