The 2022 Crusaders football team, pictured here following their final game of the season, Thursday. (Martin Martinson/battlefordsNOW Staff)

By Martin Martinson

Season reflection

JPII Crusaders wrap season on home field

Oct 14, 2022 | 4:41 PM

The John Paul II Crusaders wrapped up their 2022 fall football season Thursday evening at the high school.

The team finishes the season with an 0-6 record, though as head coach, Paul Fransoo said, there were still plenty of positives to build on with a young team heading into next year.

“Even tonight [Thursday], although the score may not reflect it, we improved,” Fransoo said of his group this year. “This was the first game we recorded an interception on the defense and we got a block on the [field goal] kick for the extra point, so guys were really putting the pieces together.”

Senior Caden Fullerton was a staple at the line of scrimmage for the team this year, playing both offensive and defensive lineman. As someone who learned the game himself, largely from the school program, he said it was good to see the team’s growth come along this season as the schedule progressed.

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“We saw a lot from everyone playing, it was a small team, and there were a lot of Grade 9s out there, so there were a ton of improvements throughout the season and I’m looking forward to seeing what these guys can put up next season,” he said.

Fullerton added that really embracing a leadership role with the group this year was a special way to close out the high school football career.

“It was great; with a bunch of young players, you have to assume that role and show them what it’s like and what they have to do, and I was happy to do that,” he said.

Fellow senior Allan Luna Serrano was also in his fourth year as an offensive lineman with the team and spoke to the unique, cyclical nature reflected in high school sports.

“It’s pretty cool,” he marveled, looking back to reflect for a moment. “You see some people just starting off with the team that don’t really know how to play when they first join, and you sort of get to become the people that teach [the next wave of players] what’s right and what’s wrong and how to improve their own game.”

Eric Senger, who was used as a Swiss Army knife of sorts – playing multiple positions on both offense and defense – lined up primarily at running back and linebacker.

He said as he looks back on his time in Crusaders’ blue and gold, he’s grateful for the friendships and memories made along the way.

“When I look back on the four years, I wouldn’t change much of it for anything,” Senger said. “I just loved playing with this team and enjoyed all my time here and hope to see the program grow in the coming years.”

Evan Cadrin, who played a mix of tight end and outside linebacker with the team this year, echoed his teammate’s sentiment, adding that it’s that comradery that comes with the sport that made all the after-school practices and road trips the most memorable.

“It’s been awesome just growing with the team and building a bond with the other players,” Cadrin said.

Coach Fransoo said the buy-in from this year’s veteran contingent went a long way to making this a positive year for the program.

“I have to give credit to my Grade 12s this year,” Fransoo said. “We asked them to lead and they did exactly that. We knew we were in a tough conference, and our guys put in a lot of work and it’s good to see them lead by example and hopefully, we can have some guys just continue that lead next year.”

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Martin.Martinson@pattisonmedia.com

On Twitter: @MartyMartyPxP1