Crusaders end regular season with loss to Keystone

The regular season came to an end for the Elk County Catholic Crusaders on Friday night with a 48-20 road loss to the Keystone Panthers.

Keystone jumped out to a big 21-0 first quarter lead and never looked back from there.

The Crusaders had the ball to start the game, but their opening drive went nowhere and they were quickly forced to punt.

The Panthers started their first drive of the game at midfield and it did not take them long to find the end zone for the first time. Kyle Nellis scored his first of four touchdowns in the game for Keystone with a seven-yard run with 9:02 left in the quarter. Nick Cosper added the extra point, and the Panthers took a 7-0 lead.

The Crusaders again were forced to punt on their next drive. However, Keystone was able to block the punt and start their second scoring drive of the game at ECC’s 27. Two plays later, Nellis scored his second touchdown of the night on an 11-yard run. Cosper once again added the extra point, and Keystone went up 14-0 with 4:57 still to play in the quarter.

Despite a pair of first downs on their next drive, the Crusaders ultimately punted again. This time, it took Keystone three plays to reach the end zone. Nellis scored his third touchdown of the game on a 40-yard run with 22 seconds remaining in the first quarter. Cosper kicked the extra point, and Keystone increased their lead to 21-0.

ECC was driving when the quarter expired but ended up turning the ball over on downs two plays into the second quarter.

Keystone’s ensuing drive resulted in the first touchdown of the game not scored by Nellis. Instead, it was Ian Keth who found the end zone for the Panthers on a two-yard run. Cosper kicked the extra point, and Keystone went up 28-0 with 9:05 left in the half.

The Crusaders were finally able to answer on their next drive. The drive was capped by a 19-yard pass play from Ben Reynolds to Joe Tettis for the touchdown, putting ECC on the board trailing 28-6 with 5:23 still to play in the second quarter. The Crusaders’ two-point conversion attempt failed.

The teams traded punts, and then Keystone added another touchdown to their lead as Bret Wingard connected with Nellis for a 35-yard pass play that resulted in his fourth and final touchdown of the night. Cosper kicked the extra point, and Keystone went up 35-6 with 50 seconds left in the half.

ECC needed just two plays to answer. Following a 17-yard pass play from Paul to Lane Dellaquila, Paul connected with Isaac Dellaquila on a 43-yard pass play for a touchdown. The two-point conversion attempt failed, leaving the Crusaders trailing Keystone 35-12 with 25 seconds still on the clock.

Keystone answered immediately as Tyler Albright returned the ensuing kickoff 65 yards for a touchdown, making the score 41-12 after the extra point attempt failed. The touchdown came with 16 seconds left in the half, and the Panthers maintained their 4121 advantage at the break.

Keystone had the ball to start the second half and put together another scoring drive, this time with Wingard connecting with Zander McHenry on a 22-yard pass play for a touchdown. Cosper kicked the extra point to give Keystone a 48-12 lead with 8:53 remaining in the third quarter.

The Crusaders turned the ball over on downs on their next drive, and the Panthers were driving again as the quarter expired.

Keystone ended up trying for a field goal early in the fourth quarter, but the attempt was blocked and the ball was recovered by ECC’s Joe Tettis.

With 2:11 left in the game, Noah Cherry reached the end zone on a three-yard run and then ran in the two-point conversion attempt to set the final score at 48-20.

The Crusaders ended the regular season with a record of 3-5.