Crusaders crank up the offense in defeating Eagles
In a game full of highlight-reel plays, Strake Jesuit made more of them in knocking off St. Thomas 56-32 on Friday night at NRG Stadium.
“It was good,” Strake Jesuit coach Klay Kubiak said. “First game of the year. Last year we got cancelled. Our kids really enjoy this game. It’s a great rivalry. But it’s one game. On to the next one.”
The two schools have been playing annually since 1964, creating one of the best rivalries in the Houston area. But the Crusaders and Eagles were denied their gridiron get-together last year by Hurricane Harvey.
A few of the same stars were on the field the last time the teams met — a 20-10 Strake Jesuit victory in 2016 — including Crusaders running back Michael Wiley and St. Thomas quarterback Peyton Matocha.
Both made an impact in 2018 as well.
Wiley carried 16 times for 205 yards and two touchdowns. He had 183 yards and both scores by halftime, including a thrilling, 96-yard sprint for a 21-3 lead in the second quarter to undermine a 63-yard punt by Matocha.
The Crusaders answered Paul Langemeier’s opening field goal for the Eagles with three unanswered touchdowns. The first came courtesy of Wiley with another the result of Michael Hansen finding Caleb Campbell behind the defense on play-action pass for a 63-yard touchdown.
St. Thomas answered as Matocha found Joshua Crissmon with a 41-yard touchdown pass. The senior passed 36 times, amassing 248 yards on 17 completions despite several drops.
But a 45-yard run by Dylan Campbell, who finished with 137 yards and two touchdowns, set up William Dickason’s 2-yard run for a 28-10 Strake Jesuit lead at halftime.
St. Thomas took advantage of the Crusaders’ fumble on the second-half kickoff, but Strake Jesuit took control with touchdowns sandwiching an interception by Jack Pittenger.
The Crusaders took a 42-17 lead into the final quarter.
Strake Jesuit nearly amassed 700 yards of offense and had five players reach the end zone. Hansen was efficient throwing the ball, completing 14 of 19 passes for 268 yards.
“We’ve got to watch the film, probably a lot of mistakes we made,” Kubiak said. “But we have some really explosive, experienced players. That’s what makes it happen is the players. Hopefully, we can stay at it, get better and go from there.”
The Crusaders expect a challenge from what Kubiak called a physical and athletic Beaumont West Brook team next Friday at Clay Stadium.
St. Thomas, which still leads the all-time series with Strake Jesuit 29-25-1, looks to bounce back at Needville on Friday.