Crusaders Prevail In Close Battle Against Cornell 21-13

Tagged under: District 7, Gameday Hub, News

Mark Grove | October 7, 2023

It was a highly anticipated game in Corappolis with the rivalry game against the two squads. Bishop Canevin was coming off a tough loss last week at the hands of the Fort Cherry Rangers. While the Raiders were coming off a close win beating the Burgettstown Blue Devils.

We are 30 minutes from kick off from Frank Letteri Stadium. Where @CornellRaiders play host to @CrusadersFball @PaFootballNews @PFNBackyard pic.twitter.com/Rp8yPQfQ5M

— Mark Grove (@MarkTGrove_30) October 6, 2023

In the first quarter, it was a defensive battle with no team being able to score both teams trading punt after punt.

At the end of the 1st quarter we still remain scoreless between @CrusadersFball and @CornellRaiders.@PFNBackyard @PaFootballNews

— Mark Grove (@MarkTGrove_30) October 6, 2023

The second quarter started off with a lot more action as Cornell got on the board first by driving down the field ending it with a touchdown pass to Mikey Keyes from his QB CJ Jackson to put them up early in the second.

TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS!!! CJ Jackson connects with Mikey Keyes with a beautiful toe tap in the back of the end zone.@CornellRaiders 7@CrusadersFball 0 @PaFootballNews @PFNBackyard pic.twitter.com/Z6D2P3hsxd

— Mark Grove (@MarkTGrove_30) October 6, 2023

It would not take the Crusaders much time to answer back with a score of their own. A magnificent grab by Jason Cross tied the game up with 5:41 remaining in the half.

Just like that we are tied with a Crusaders touchdown with 5:41 left to go in the first half It was a beautiful grab by Jason Cross from Kole Olszewski.@CornellRaiders 7@CrusadersFball 7@PaFootballNews @PFNBackyard pic.twitter.com/TntOGrAmjh

— Mark Grove (@MarkTGrove_30) October 6, 2023

After another Cornell three and out Kole Olszewski found his favorite receiver Jason Cross in the back of the endzone yet again to give the Crusaders momentum heading into the half.

Jason Cross hauls in his second TD of the day from Kole Olszewski. That puts the Crusaders in the drivers seat right before the half. @CornellRaiders 7@CrusadersFball 14@PaFootballNews @PFNBackyard pic.twitter.com/VyS2fymhdQ

— Mark Grove (@MarkTGrove_30) October 7, 2023

That would bring us to the half with the Crusaders having the upper hand and getting the ball back coming out of the half.

We have reached the half in this defensive battle. The crusaders are set to receive the ball coming out of the half. @CornellRaiders 7 @CrusadersFball 14 @PaFootballNews @PFNBackyard pic.twitter.com/ScUatKRgUD

— Mark Grove (@MarkTGrove_30) October 7, 2023

It did not take much time for Cornell to turn the momentum in their favor with an interception from Khylil Johnson to set up the Raiders in prime field position to cash in to score to tie the game.

Quick turn of events,didn’t take long for the Raiders to force a turnover by way of a Khylil Johnson interception. @CornellRaiders 7@CrusadersFball 14@PaFootballNews @PFNBackyard

— Mark Grove (@MarkTGrove_30) October 7, 2023

The raiders did not take long to make the most of the short field position with an outstanding grab by Julian Cordice. But they would miss the PAT leaving it to be a one point game.

TOUCHDOWN RAIDERS!!! They cash in on the the turnover forced by Khylil Johnson. Beautiful catch by Julian Cordice from CJ Jackson. Point after was missed. @CornellRaiders 13 @CrusadersFball 14@PaFootballNews @PFNBackyard

— Mark Grove (@MarkTGrove_30) October 7, 2023

At the end of the third the margin for error was little to none being as it was a one point game any one big play could change the trajectory of the game.

That is the end of the 3rd here at Frank Letteri Stadium. It will come down to the wire between these two teams with the margin for error razor thin. @CornellRaiders 13@CrusadersFball 14@PaFootballNews @PFNBackyard

— Mark Grove (@MarkTGrove_30) October 7, 2023

The first half of the 4th quarter was much of the same both teams trading punts but it was only a matter of time put this game to bed. They would do just that with Kole Olsewski throwing his third touchdown of the game this time to a new target in Jaydin Lindsey.

TOUCHDOWN CRUSADERS!!! A great grab by Jaydin Lindsey from Kole Olszewski. Gives the Crusaders some breathing room going into the home stretch of this game. @CornellRaiders 13@CrusadersFball 21@PFNBackyard @PaFootballNews pic.twitter.com/8hm4ZLgZR1

— Mark Grove (@MarkTGrove_30) October 7, 2023

That pretty much sealed the game with Cornell still not able to get anything going getting stopped on fourth down. Giving the ball back to the Crusaders to run the ball and the clock out to secure the victory.

That’s the game the @CrusadersFball walk out of here with a W by the score of 21-13 over @CornellRaiders. The two touchdown grabs by Jason Cross propelled the crusaders to victory.@PaFootballNews @PFNBackyard pic.twitter.com/gXsT4MImbZ

— Mark Grove (@MarkTGrove_30) October 7, 2023

With that win Bishop Canevin improves to 5-1 on the season as they return home to face the Chartiers-Houston Buccaneers. Where as for Cornell they have a tough match up at the Fort Cherry Rangers.

Thanks for reading

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PHOTO GALLERY

Photos by Jacob Harker