Crusaders blank Pequea, keeps Section 5 title hopes alive
2023 Berks football coverage presented by
Utilities Employees Credit Union
(This story was produced by LNP/Lancasteronline, and published in partnership with MikeDragoSports.com.)
By Kyle Kutz — LNP/Lancasteronline
KINZERS — Coming off an impressive victory in Week 8 against Kutztown, Lancaster Catholic coasted on its newfound momentum for a dominant football win Friday night at Pequea Valley, blanking the Braves 33-0 in Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 5 play.
Late in the first quarter, junior dual-threat passer David Stefanow sliced through the light rainfall and 31 yards of wide-open field to find the end zone, giving the Crusaders (5-1, 8-1) an early 8-0 advantage after a successful two-point conversion attempt.
The Catholic defensive front then stepped up big-time to open the second, pouncing on a crucial PV fumble to regain possession inside Braves territory.
Stefanow immediately capitalized on the turnover with a 38-yard touchdown strike to senior wideout Josh Acker to extend the Crusaders’ lead to 14-0.
Catholic sophomore Brandon Way inevitably tacked on a 17-yard TD scamper later in the quarter to put the Crusaders up 20-0 heading into halftime.
Out of the break, Way reversed field to break away from heavy traffic on the left side, sprinting 38 yards to give Catholic a 27-point cushion en route to a near 300-yard rushing performance from the electric Crusaders backfield.
The Braves’ core playmakers were unable to establish any offensive momentum and PV (1-5, 2-7) was unable to dent the sizable five-score deficit as time expired, amassing less than 65 yards of total production.
Catholic standout Elijah Cunningham, who entered Week 9 leading the league in touchdown runs, while ranking second in rush yardage, did not exceed the 60-yard mark on the ground before permanently exiting the game late in the first half. No details were made available on his condition or status at this time.
Catholic will host Schuylkill Valley next Friday to close out the regular season. Pequea Valley will face Kutztown at home.
