Crusaders fall to NFA 42-20 in Section 9 semifinal game

KINGSTON — On Saturday night, Oct. 28, the Crusaders took on the defending Section 9 Champion Goldbacks of Newburgh in a semi-final game at Dietz in Kingston.
The Crusaders had beaten the Goldbacks 28-17 in their meeting earlier this year. Crusader kicker Mike Boyle got the team off to a good start with a perfect executed onside kick that the team recovered on the Goldbacks 37 yard line.
When the Crusaders failed to move the ball the Goldbacks took over and scored on a 66-yard drive capped off with a 23-yard touchdown run by Sincere Tatum.
The Goldbacks struck again with 11:51 left in the half when Tatum scored on a 22-yard TD run to give Newburgh a 14-0 lead.
The Crusaders then mounted a drive that got them into position for a field goal but were unable to hit on the 37-yard attempt as time expired in the first half.
Crusader Kenny Hernandez gave the team great lift when he almost took the second half kick off back for a touchdown. The Crusaders then moved the ball and scored on a 2-yard TD run by Bradley Byrnes.
The Goldbacks, however, responded and scored on two unanswered touchdown runs by Tatum and Jadon Monroe to take a 28-7 lead.
The Crusaders were not finished yet and Bradley Byrnes scored on a four-yard dive as the third quarter came to a close with the score 28-14.
The Goldbacks ground game added to their lead with to more rushing touchdowns in the fourth quarter to take a 42-14 lead.
The Crusaders never gave up and with 3:02 left on the clock scored on a seven-yard run by Curtis Foster.
The Crusaders 42-20 loss marks the end of their season they finish with a 7-2 record.
The Goldbacks will face the Bushmen of Pine Bush for the Section 9 title on Saturday for Faller Field in Middletown.
- William Dimmit