The JPII Crusaders will play Broadview in the first round of the playoffs, in a battle that should be hard-hitting and intense. (submitted photo/Bruce Yockey)

By Martin Martinson

Post-season begins

JPII Crusaders football team look for strong playoff push to cap season

Oct 22, 2019 | 12:55 PM

The John Paul II Collegiate (JPII) Crusaders football team will hit the road this weekend, as the team travels to Broadview to take on the Broadview Bandits in the first round of the playoffs.

This season has been a bit of a rebuilding year for the Crusaders, who wrapped up their regular season at 0-6.

The winless campaign comes just a year after a largely dominant showing that saw the team post a 7-2 record before making a run to the provincial semifinals.

The season’s outcome follows a conference restructuring this year that reduced the number of teams from six to four in the conference.

The new schedule along with some key injuries throughout the year took their toll on the team, especially through the early going.

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Although JPII were unable to register a victory, the team still advanced to the post-season with a chance to turn things around against a Bandits squad who finished 2-4.

Despite the tough record in the results department, head coach Bruce Yockey said the team is feeling confident heading into the playoffs, and looking forward to a clean slate.

“Looking at wins and losses it has been a disappointing season, but as far as progress being made, we have gotten better each week,” Yockey said. “That progress has been a positive thing, the fact that we have been closing the gap [on margin of defeat].”

The coach said while the team has been able to move the chains pretty well on offense at times, the group will hope to find better results in a scoring capacity when set up in the red zone.

He said if the defence can band together to prevent the opposition from making big plays at the key points in games, and the offense can connect just a little more frequently with their finishing touch, the team should be able to make some noise against Broadview this weekend.

“We think we have a good shot actually in games moving out of our conference,” Yockey said, reflecting on the matchup. “With only four teams in our conference we probably play in the toughest conference in the province, [so] we feel very confident about going and playing our first opponent. We feel good, and we have been waiting for this opportunity and I think we have a really good chance this weekend.”

The Crusaders and Bandits will play Saturday, Oct. 26 in Broadview.

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Martin.Martinson@jpbg.ca

On Twitter: MartyMartyPxP1