The Crusaders seemed to have high-flying jet packs on the field last week in their opening season dominant win. Concordia’s 52-0 thumping of Katy St. John XXIII was the most lopsided football victory in the last decade, surpassing the 52-7 win over Beaumont Kelly Catholic on 11-7-2014. Last season, the Crusaders had two shutout wins including a 28-0 victory over Katy St. John XXIII and besting The Village School 38-0.
Looking at the box score team totals, Concordia dominated the game in every statistical department. The offensive onslaught included 28 points in the first quarter where the first team offense used a variety of runs and passes and three different Crusaders scored touchdowns.
Concordia only punted the ball once during the entire game and only faced fourth down twice. QB Tanner Huckfelt ‘25 went 7-9 in the air for 121 yards and 2 TDs and rushed twice for 6 yards and another TD.
RB/WR Cole Chance ’24 had two receptions for 54 yards and the opening touchdown of the season with a 4th down 34-yard pass from Huckfelt where he broke three tackles to find the paydirt. WR/SS Lou Lamar ’24 hauled in a down-the-seam laser from Huckfelt before throwing down his defender for a 35-yard touchdown as one of his two receptions for 46 yards. RB/WR Ethan Beazley ’26 led the team in receptions with three catches totaling 36 yards.
The ground force triple attack featured Chance, RB Matthew Garza ’24, and RB Mason Dominy ’25. Chance led the team in touches with 10 rushes for 52 yards and 2 TDs. Garza led the team in yards with 81 yards on 7 rushes including a 44-yarder as well as a 6-yard touchdown scamper. Dominy made the most of his two rushes for 71 yards when he busted through the line for a 60-yard TD rush in the 3rd quarter.
The defense also deserves much credit for the dominating win, limiting the Lions to only 41 total yards of offense. St. John XXIII was 0-7 on third down and only had two first downs for the entire game. The Crusaders defense caused two turnovers including a fumble forced by CB Nathan Muaka ‘26 and an interception by SS Lamar. DE Ben Hubenak ’24 led the team with 2 sacks as well as 6 total tackles (2 solo and 4 assist). Reynard had 4 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and the fumble recovery. Newcomer Muaka had 1.5 tackles including a sack forced fumble.
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The Crusaders are seeking their first winning season since 2017, when the team went 8-2 overall and featured a prolific offense that had two games with points scored over 60 and 433 total points scored for the year. That season, Concordia averaged over 43 points per contest and after this year’s Week 1, the Crusaders hope to be clicking on offense much like they did in 2017.
During the last three seasons, Concordia has increased their win total each year and are trending up the district standings. In 2022, the Crusaders were 5-6 Overall and scored over 200 points for the first time since 2018.
Student Council and the Cheer team are hoping to fill the stands with excitement for the Crusaders this Fall at the home Football games with some special themes for the games:
- September 8 vs. Beaumont Kelly Catholic = Red, White, and Blue
- October 6 vs. St. Pius X = All Out Concordia Homecoming (Navy, Silver, and White)
- October 20 vs. Central Catholic = Pink Out!
- October 27 vs. Antonian Prep = Jersey Night
Up next for the Crusaders is an away non-district matchup against the Liberty Panthers (0-1) from Liberty, TX. Last year, Concordia tamed the Panthers with a 21-10 victory inside Schroeder Stadium.
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To learn more about the Football program at Concordia, visit www.sadernationtx.com/football
Video Highlights from 8-25-23 game vs. Katy St. John XXIII 52-0 victory: http://www.hudl.com/v/2LSVJq