Crusaders Open Playoffs With Victory over Raiders

LAWRENCE — On a night when the skies opened up and rain fell non stop, Pope John Central Catholic once again reaffirmed its position as one of the best football teams in Class D-2.

Scoring on their first possession, the Crusaders used a bend-but-not-break defense en route to a 19 to 6 victory over the Lawrence-Nelson Raiders.

Pope John took the opening kickoff and drove the length of the field to score. Crusaders’ Coach Brad Cornell chose to grind it out on the ground. One, because of the weather which made every attempt to pass an adventure; and two, more likely, because the Crusaders matched up favorably, size wise, against the Raiders.

Senior Beau Henn, his second game back from a leg injury, alternated carrying the ball with Dylan Heithoff as the Crusaders marched down the field. It took 10 plays to march 54 yards to score. On the final play of the drive, Henn waltzed into the endzone from three yards out.

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