CHARLESTON — The up and down year for Saxony Lutheran football continued with a win Friday night, bringing the Crusaders record to 3-3.
The Crusaders won 27-12 in what head coach OJ Turner called the team’s best defensive showing of the season so far.
“We were very happy with our performance at home with Windsor, but this was a different ball game.” Turner said. “Windsor definitely wanted to run the ball down your throat. And we did a really good job of not allowing that to happen, but the thing about Charleston is they can gash in the middle and be very fast and athletic and get to the outside, and our kids swarmed to the ball so well where it was typically a tackle for a loss when they tried to go outside. That’s a testament to my defensive coordinator and really having a good game plan. Ross did a really good job of getting the team prepared this week on the defensive side of the ball.”
Kevion Williams had a standout night, recording eight tackles and assisting on four, including four tackles for loss and two sacks.
The defense forced four turnovers. Ollie Tracy had an interception and a recovered fumble, Kael Walker recovered a fumble, and Camden Payne had an interception.
Offensively, the Crusaders were led by the running game, which combined for 242 yards. Alan Rudd led the way with 153 yards on 20 carries, averaging almost eight yards per carry. Kai McDowell rushed for 89 yards as well. Rudd and McDowell scored two touchdowns each
“This year we really wanted to match Charleston’s athleticism and I feel like we did a pretty good job of that,” Turner said.
McDowell also completed six passes for 69 yards to three receivers.
Bryce Gaebler led the way for the passing game, receiving four passes for 39 yards.
This Friday’s night game will be a special one for the Crusaders. They will be participating in breast cancer awareness night to honor a parent of a player who has been fighting cancer. The Crusaders, who are so far undefeated at home, will be wearing pink jerseys and honoring the parent at halftime of the game against Vienna-Goreville. Kickoff from Jackson is scheduled for 7:00 p.m.
