By Nathan Kanter

Crusaders launch second half comeback for first win of 2017

Sep 18, 2017 | 12:00 PM

There was a lot to like about the John Paul II Crusaders senior football team in week two this past Friday.

Their offence started to show its potential after a tough opening week loss where they managed just one touchdown. Their best players stepped up and became difference makers. And most importantly, the young team showed character in their come-from-behind 28-21 win over Martensville on the road.

“There was just no quit. That was probably the biggest thing that I was impressed with,” Crusaders head coach Bruce Yockey said on the phone over the weekend. “It’s a good learning experience, especially for our younger players.”

The game was tight throughout, but two small mistakes resulted in two touchdowns for the Royals on deep balls in the first half, and all of a sudden the Crusaders were down 21-6.

But the kids stuck with it and after the coaches made a few adjustments in the second half, JP II stormed all the way back.

Nothing but Net

Vikings' standouts ready for national stage with Team Saskatchewan

2h ago

Missing person

Spiritwood RCMP searching for missing woman

5h ago

2023-24 Hardware

AAA Stars celebrate best of season with year-end awards

Apr 23, 2024

“I think they realized that if you didn’t look at the score, you would think it was a dead even game and we were right there,” Yockey said. “We just needed to capitalize. We did create some turnovers. We picked up a couple of fumbles and the kids just seemed to feed off of that.

“Our defence played exceptional in the third and fourth quarter.”

Yockey said the biggest improvement from week one was on the offensive side of things.

Quarterback Brady Holhoyi was given more time in the pocket out of the shotgun and running holes were opened up for speedy Grade 9 Declan Wychopen.

“[Holhoyi] made some really good throws in the second half,” Yockey said. “Just that extra couple seconds that he gets out of the shotgun, for right now anyways, really makes a difference for him.”

But the team MVP from Friday was played on both offence and defence.

Andrew Pyle played every single down, including special teams, and blew Yockey away with his performance.

“He was our MVP by far,” Yockey said. “[He] was outstanding for us. Arguably was our best player on defence and he also scored a couple of touchdowns and a two-point conversion too, playing slotback.”

Other standout performances came from defensive lineman John Panapasa, Blaise Sieben, who like Pyle played on both sides of the ball, and Liam Navarro.

The Crusaders will now get set for Unity this Friday, where it’ll be another road matchup.

Yockey added there was a lot to build on from this week’s win that they can take into week three.

“I’d say they improved 60 to 70 per cent,” Yockey said. “It’s just a step in the right direction. I think it was really good for these guys to get a win under their belt… I kind of like to think about not too high or not too low after wins and losses but I let them enjoy this one.”

nathan.kanter@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: @NathanKanter11