The Crusaders are 5-2 heading into their game against the Foothill Falcons this upcoming Friday. The team started the season with a disappointing 1-2 record but flipped the script by winning the next 4 games against Green Valley, Basic, Sierra Vista, and Durango.

Faith Lutheran looks to build on their 4-game winning streak and keep the momentum going for the rest of the season. Head Coach Mike Sanford recently said “We’ve got some big games on the horizon,” after the win against Durango on Friday night. The Crusaders have shown to split Quarterbacks Alex Rogers and Garyt Odom so far this season.

Rogers leads the team in passing with 474 yards while Odom leads the team in rushing with 356 yards. Sanford said at the beginning of the season that the 2 quarterbacks “have unique skill sets.”

The team plans on continuing the 2 quarterback system throughout the remainder of the season. As far as the defensive side of the ball, Junior linebacker Nick Duffy leads the team in tackles and also leads the state in tackles with 83. Senior kicker Caden Chittenden is ranked 11th in the nation in made field goals with 9. Sanford commented on Chittenden’s leg earlier in the season saying “We have a lot of trust in our kicker.”

Before the season started Faith Lutheran football was moved down 5a Division II. This change will boost the Crusaders’ chances of winning a state championship. Senior tight end Cade Keith recently picked up his first Division 1 offer from Portland State.

Keith said “I’m very blessed but I wouldn’t have been able to do this without my teammates and coaches” and also commented on how he is focused on finishing the season with a state championship. The team will be tested this week as they face the 7-1 Foothill Falcons. Both the Crusaders and Falcons are undefeated in league play. Some have even said that this is one of the most important games in the Crusaders’ recent history due to the fact that it is for the #1 position in the 5a South Division II. Coach Staggs, the defensive coordinator, said, “This is a huge game. It will be played on Friday the 13th. It is for a league title. It is for control of the #1 position in the South.” Hopefully, the Crusaders finish the season with a state championship and surprise a lot of people.