Crusaders Roll Against previously Undefeated Ursaline Academy, 58-23

The Columbus Crusaders, via intense air and ground assaults, beat a previously undefeated team from up north last night . The "arctic blast" that accompanied this week's opponent, Ursaline Academy, from Canada, was not enough to chill the Crusader's offensive machine, as the Crusaders rolled to a 58-23 victory on a brisk, beautiful night in Columbus. Both teams played hard-nosed, quality football, but the Crusader's new offense proved to be a little too much for Ursaline, who dropped their first game of the 2006 season to their cross country foe.

But the storyline does not stop there. What is unique about this game is that when it is all over on the field, the real fellowship begins. As has become tradition, the Crusader family offers up some true Ohio hospitality by hosting the Canadian players in their homes overnight after the game, prior to their long drive back home on Saturday. Immediately following the game, both teams shared a warm meal in the Commons, where the players were assigned to their Crusader counterparts and got to meet their host families.

As I write this blog, my son is getting to know two brand new friends from the Ursaline squad, Joel and Jamie. As I began to burn DVD's, upload photos and write this blog, they were all engaged in electronic warfare upstairs, battling it out on the gridiron as only a PlayStation can render! I've noticed that is has grown much quieter now, as they have probably succumbed to the sleep that is much deserved.

Bottom line is this. These guys are just plain great kids. Polite, easy going and good-natured. If this is representative of the quality and caliber of the other players, coaches and fans of Ursaline Academy program, then may I be the first to say that you should be very proud of your program. Their conduct speaks great volumes about your program and my wife and I are proud to be able to host your young men in our home.

What many Crusader fans did not know is that prior to last night, our opponent was undefeated and is leading their league division in Canada. I can understand why, as they brought a much improved and harder hitting football to our home turf which challenged each of our guys to rise to the occasion to ensure that we would prevail when the final seconds expired. While the Crusaders got out to an early lead, some may have noticed that in the latter part of the second quarter and early part of the third, the momentum was shifting toward Ursaline and they were trying to make a game of it. But costly turnovers stunted their efforts, and the Crusaders began to unmercifully capitalize on their mistakes, turning errors into opportunities to stretch the lead. The Crusader coaching staff was able to play the JV squad in the waning moments of the 4th quarter, after the game as all but finaled in the books, which gave many players opportunity to see some game action.

For those of you who were unable to host some of the players this year, or unsure if you wanted to do so, you missed out on a great blessing. For these young men, football was the vehicle by which they were brought to this place, but Christ was the source of the camaraderie and fellowship that followed late into the wee hours of this morning, and long into the memories of those who participated.

As I sign off and head for a few zzz's myself, I pray for the continued success of both programs as they move into their final weeks of competition. May each team find fond memories of the guts and glory on the field, as well as warm thoughts of the family and fellowship afterwards.

This is the heart of Crusader Football...being ambassadors for Christ in a world where many have lost their way.

Best of luck, Lancers! May God continue to bless your season, and may He guide your steps not only between the goalposts, but well down whatever future paths He may lead you when you step off that football field for a final time. Lessons learned in that arena are priceless, so make the most of every opportunity.

Because of Him,

Brian