Colton Dempsey ’20

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In their final game of the year, the Strake Jesuit Crusaders JV football team took on the Katy-Taylor Mustangs.

The opening drive, the Mustangs scored a long touchdown run against the Crusaders. The Crusaders fired back with a 60-yard touchdown by the sophomore running back, Dylan Campbell. Both teams did not get the extra point, so the game was tied 6-6.

The Mustangs broke the tie with another long touchdown run. The Crusaders marched down the field with help from Dylan Campbell, Jack Codwell, and Matthew Sanders. Jack Codwell rushed up the middle for a one yard touchdown, but the team could not get the two-point conversion.

Katy-Taylor began to gain momentum on offense again but were stopped by an incredible side-line interception by Sergio Alarcon. The Crusaders eventually had to punt the ball away after four hard downs.

The Jesuit defense was on the field for a couple plays before defensive lineman, Angel Penso, caused and recovered a fumble. With momentum on their side, the Crusader offense pitched the ball to Dylan Campbell who ran to the outside and made his way up the field for a 50-yard touchdown! The two point conversion was successful by an incredible toe-tapping catch by Bryce Palumbo.

A few plays later and the first half was over. The Crusaders led 20-14.

After an elusive effort by Camden Terry on a kick return, Jesuit had the ball on their own 30 yard line. The offense stepped onto the field and handed Dylan Campbell the ball once more, and he ran for a monster 70-yard touchdown! After a successful two-point try, Jesuit led 28-14.

The Mustangs angrily marched down the field to the goal line. They ran up the middle but thanks to the hard hitting linebackers, they fumbled. The ball was picked up by safety Nick Cassapo. Once again, Campbell took the hand off for 50 yards from the goal line. The Crusaders came up short however and were forced to punt.

The defensive unit with multiple turnovers so far headed back onto the field. This drive was short, due to a poorly placed ball that was picked off once again by Sergio Alarcon. The Jesuit Quarterback, Matthew Sanders, quickly followed the turnover with multiple pass completions that moved the ball down the field into Mustang territory. Sanders and his favorite target, Bryce Palumbo, were at it again with a nice 30 yard touchdown pass. Jesuit now led the game 36-14.

The Crusader defense once again shut down the struggling Mustang offense and got the ball back. With the game starting to close Jesuit continued to rush the ball. With multiple 10 yard-plus carries from Jack Codwell, Jesuit was in Mustang territory once more. This glorious drive came to a sudden stop after junior running back/fullback Jack Codwell was on the ground injured. He was out for the remainder of the game with a likely torn ACL.

The closing seconds came, and the fourth quarter ended. The Strake Jesuit Crusaders won 36-14 and concluded their season record at 6-2-1.