Dave Leaderhouse
Special to the Herald
The Carlton Crusaders feasted on the North Battlefords Vikings on Friday scoring a touchdown in each quarter for a 28-2 victory in their North Sask. Football League regular-season opener at Max Clunie Field.
The Crusaders showed marked improvement in all facets of their game when compared to a 31-6 setback to the Bishop James Mahoney Saints from Saskatoon in an exhibition game played last week, but head coach Lindsay Strachan was still cautious when providing an analysis of his club’s efforts against the Vikings.
“We were better, but there is still some execution stuff we have to clean up,” noted Strachan. “We can’t be taking that many penalties – we have to play a little bit cleaner.”
“Anytime you are giving up just two points that puts things in a good picture,” added Strachan.
The tone of the game was set on North Battleford’s first passing play when Carlton defensive back Robby Everest picked off a Jacob Bjerkness attempt near midfield. Although the Crusaders never capitalized on that turnover – kicker Colm Phillips was wide on a 40-yard field goal attempt – Carlton kept applying pressure and were rewarded late in the opening quarter when Phillips, who was also the starting quarterback, ran the ball up the middle for 14 yards on a keeper play to open the scoring.
Phillips then connected with receiver Tucker Prodaehl on a 25-yard pass-and-run play midway through the second quarter to increase the advantage to 14-0 and Carlton’s defence would then make their first of three stops on North Battleford gambles when going for third-and-short in the game to keep the score that way at half time.
Phillips would score his second major of the game late in the third quarter on a one-yard run up the middle and he would complete the hat-trick when he recovered a snap he had mishandled and then scamper 30 yards to the end zone early in the final stanza. Phillips was successful in converting all four majors to complete his outstanding performance.
The only points the Vikings were able to muster came in the waning minutes when Carlton conceded a safety rather than punt the ball from their one-yard line.
While Phillips was the star of the game, others like Bladen Dogniez, Cooper Hemingway and Conner McKay also had strong outings with all three hauling in key catches to put Carlton in a position to go in for a score.
The Crusaders will now prepare for the annual Car Guys Classic next Friday at 6:30 p.m. at Max Clunie Field against cross-town rival St. Mary Marauders. The Marauders were also in action on Friday, but a 36-10 setback to league-leading Martensville dropped their record to 0-2 in league play and 0-3 overall.
St. Mary head coach Curt Hundeby said it was a tough night all around for the Marauders.
“We played very poorly today (Friday),” started Hundeby. “There were a lot of mistakes and we lacked physical play. We have a lot of work to do if we want to have a chance at competing next week against Carlton.”
Townsend Robin scored the lone touchdown for St. Mary marking the second straight game that the Marauders managed to score just one major.
A large crowd is expected next weekend for the Classic and Strachan says it is a game that is always a highlight on the schedule for both squads.
“That rivalry always adds energy and enthusiasm,” stated Strachan.
