Crusaders deny Plainsmen playoff berth

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/10/2024 (373 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

As the St. Paul’s Crusaders coaches prepared to start the second half of a blowout, one looked to the rest with a clear message.

“I know these Brandon boys aren’t going to quit.”

Down 28-0 and seemingly out, the Crocus Plainsmen dug their heels in and tied the last 24 minutes to fall 38-10 in their Winnipeg High School Football League AAAA regular-season finale at Crocus on Thursday.

In a way, it was a letdown for a Plainsmen team one win away from doing what no one thought was possible two months ago. Crocus (4-3) will miss the championship playoffs while St. Paul’s (5-2) secured a place in the top eight.

But their goal was to finish above .500 and they accomplished it. While they were preparing to play for 17th this time last year, they’re in the mix for the Vidruk Bowl (ninth place), which Vincent Massey won last season.

If the Plainsmen refused to quit down 35 against the Crusaders, it’s a safe bet to expect a hungry Crocus team if given another shot at Massey.

“I’m just going to go so crazy that game, I’m so excited to play them,” said senior defensive back Seth McAuley, who recently added “receiver” to his resume.

McAuley was quarterback Simon Leckie’s go-to target most of the day, catching five passes for 35 yards.

“We had guys not show up to practice so coach said to me he wants me to step up and I get the ball thrown to me a lot and I’m really glad for that.

“It was my first time really being part of the offence and oh boy, we’re facing the St. Paul’s defence. I’m scared I’m going to get absolutely hit but no, after I got one good catch and ran, I was confident.”

Both defences forced punts on their opening possessions, then the visitors went to work as running back Gabriel Grennier broke off a long run into Crocus territory, then Ethan Maroni tossed a deep ball to Sam Asabil. Erik Solomon tipped it but the receiver kept his focus and hauled it in for a 25-yard touchdown.

The Crusaders slowly marched for their second score before Maroni dumped the ball off to Josh Akinpelu, who broke a few tackles and scored from 20 yards out.

St. Paul’s added a quick major after a big punt return and two short passes to speedy slotback Micah Rabasa, and one more to Marc Van Caseele on a pass to the left for a three-yard TD.

Leckie threw an interception, then got one back while playing safety two plays later, only to toss it right back to the St. Paul’s defence, ending the half down 28-0.

Crocus moved the ball into enemy territory in the second half, then Leckie threw a pick but Jack Simpson chased the ball carrier and punched it out before falling on it to maintain possession.

The Plainsmen turned it over on downs, but two plays later Gefferson Molina stripped Maroni and recovered it on the Crusaders’ 35-yard line.

“I wanted to get a touchdown so I just smacked it out of his hand,” said the five-foot-10, 159-pound defensive tackle.

Yes, a five-foot-10, 159-pound defensive tackle. It’s hard to tell when Molina’s on the field because he plays a whole lot bigger.

He has certainly come a long way since trying the sport for the first time just two years ago in Grade 10.

“When I first got to the football team, I didn’t know how to play. I was just a soccer guy,” he said.

“I learned a lot from this team … The coaches have shown me how to get physical, how to get that mindset to go into every game, how to play better. I gotta thank the coaches and my teammates.”

Crocus got down to the 10 before settling for a Molina field goal to get on the board with three minutes left in the third quarter.

The Crusaders replied with a field goal and went up 38-3 on Maroni’s second bomb to Asabil.

Then with less than three minutes left, facing third-and-10, Leckie set up to punt but faked it and threw a perfect strike to Cole Klassen cutting across the middle. The senior receiver left the pair of punt returners in his dust for a 77-yard major.

Leckie recovered the ensuing onside kick but the Plainsmen weren’t able to move the ball any further.

The Plainsmen have to wait for today’s games, including the Vikings’ finale at the league-leading Oak Park Raiders (6-0) to see where they finish and who they face.

» tfriesen@brandonsun.com

» Instagram: @thomasfriesen5