By Jeff D'Andrea

Crusaders play under the ‘Friday Night Lights’ for first time ever; lose 33-14 to St. Joe’s

Sep 7, 2012 | 12:22 AM

Before he tragically passed in an aircraft accident last summer at the tender age of 15, it was Max Clunie’s dream to play under the lights at Prime Minister’s Park with his football team: the Carlton Crusaders.

Thanks to a group of dedicated volunteers, the Crusaders got that honour and played the first ever high football game under the lights installed as a tribute to Clunie by the Friday Night Lights project.

Crusaders’ Grade 11 linebacker Lucas McConechy was one of Clunie’s closest friends and spearheaded the project shortly after Clunie’s memorial service. After getting tons of volunteers on board, the Friday Night Lights project eventually raised $650,000 to get the lights installed.

McConechy said it was an honour to play under the lights, dedicated to No. 27.

“It was surreal, it was an amazing experience,” said McConechy. “It’s amazing to think that all these lights (are here because) the community came together for a legacy.

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“It’s a great way to honour Max.”

Crusaders head coach Rylan Michalchuk recognized the importance of the lights and its cause.

“The cause of the lights is a really close thing to our team,” said Michalchuk. “(The lights) give you a feeling of chills, it gives you that extra adrenaline even as a coach.

“Even when you look around the field, there’s more fans at the game and there’s that buzz of football in the air.”

Unfortunately, the Crusaders lost to a tough St. Joseph Guardians team from Saskatoon 33-14.

The Crusaders had a 14-9 lead to start the third quarter but according to Michalchuk, the team’s inexperience caught up to them.

After losing 20 Grade 12’s from last year’s squad that went 5-2 in the regular season then earned a semifinals playoff berth, Michalchuk said the team he has this year is younger and have a few things to improve on.

Penalties played a big role in the Crusaders shooting themselves in the foot, according to Michalchuk.

In the first quarter, the Crusaders were forced to kick field goals in their first two red zone trips as drives were ended by costly penalties, an objectional conduct penalty and an illegal procedure call. In the second half, the Guardians were able to keep drives alive thanks to Crusaders penalties.

“We’re a younger team, it was a learning experience,” said Michalchuk. “It came down to penalties and turnovers.

The Guardians got three touchdowns out of their running back Damon Muggli, two in the second half, to run away with the game. He rushed from 65-yards out in the first quarter, then from 31-yards out in the second.

“The third one is big plays, you can’t give up big plays on defence,” said Michalchuk.

But just because the Crusaders are young, it doesn’t mean they’re without promise.

Their quarterback Julian Bird started his first game under centre, after playing linebacker last season.
Bird, who won Carlton’s Junior Male Outstanding Athlete of the Year award last year, threw for just shy of 200 yards, completing 13 passes for 197. He also rushed for 18 yards in the game.

Bird’s debut impressed Michalchuk.

“He completed his first nine passes. He’s just a really athletic kid, he’s a fearless kid and he’s a quick learner,” said Michalchuk. “He seems to understand it well and he’s getting the ball to the spots where it needs to be.

“It’s all we can ask out of him.”

Kyle Deibert scored the lone Crusaders’ touchdown, rushing in from seven yards out to start the second half. Devereaux Gatin connected on two field goals, a rouge and an extra point.

The Crusaders won’t return to play under the Prime Minister’s Park lights again until Sept. 28 against North Battleford. Their next two games are at Mount Royal Sept. 13 and at Tommy Douglas Sept. 21.

The St. Mary’s Marauders will kick their season off Friday against Bethlehem, under the lights at 6:30 p.m..

The Crusaders and Marauders won’t meet until Oct. 16, the last game of the season. Then, there will be the official presentation of the Friday Night Lights project.

jdandrea@panow.com

On Twitter: @jeff_dandrea