SOUTHFIELD, Mich. - Heading down I-696, the Crusaders would go to the home of their cross-town rivals, the Lawrence Tech University Blue Devils. In a game that would end up being a shootout, the Crusaders' 28-points would be enough to set the single-season scoring record with 143 points, breaking the previous record set in 2022. However, it would not be enough to outscore the Blue Devils, losing 45-28.
HOW IT HAPPENED:
The Blue Devils scored just three plays into the game with a 57-yard rushing touchdown on the game's first possession. However, the Crusader offense would respond with their own explosive touchdown, as running back
Samuel Kunnuji broke free for a 69-yard score on the Crusaders second drive. Less than two minutes into the game, the Crusaders trailed just 7-6.
With just over five minutes remaining in the first quarter of play, the Blue Devils would extend their lead to 14-6. The Crusaders would be forced to punt on the ensuing drive, the Blue Devils would muff the punt and allow the Crusaders to recover inside the redzone. Quarterback
Taurean Singletary would find receiver
Jacob Irelan, who would be ruled down just shy of the goalline. Fullback
Parker Heidt would come in for the jumbo set at the one-yard line, breaking through the Blue Devils' front for his sixth touchdown of the year. After a failed two-point conversion the Crusaders would be down just two, 14-12.
Going into the second quarter, the Blue Devils would tack on ten unanswered points before halftime, going into the break 24-12.
After the Blue Devils tacked on another score to start the half, the Crusaders would make some personnel adjustments, with
Keel Watson IV coming in to play quarterback and Singletary moving to receiver. Watson would connect with Singletary on his first drive of the game for a 22-yard touchdown. A two-point conversion pass to
Imarion Kelly would bring the game back within reach, 31-20.
To start the fourth quarter, the Blue Devils would answer with a score of their own. On the ensuing possession, Watson would connect with Singletary again for the pair's second score of the afternoon, making it a 38-28 game. However, they would be unable to find the endzone again, as time would run out the Blue Devils would take a 45-28 victory.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS:
- Watson was 7-of-13 passing for 109 yards and two touchdowns.
- Singletary had three catches for 37 yards and two touchdowns, as well as eight rushes for 28 yards.
- Kunnuji had 94 total yards and a touchdown.
- Defensive end Nick Miller recorded two sacks and four total tackles.
- Safety Matt DeHart got an interception in his second-straight game.
UP NEXT:
The Crusaders will return home to Franklin High School in Livonia, Mich, for their final two games of the 2024 season. They will first take on the Taylor University Trojans, next Saturday November 9 at 1:00 pm.
