The 2013 Varsity Crusader Football team was the first football team in the school’s 25-season history to make it all the way to the State Championship game.

On November 23, 2013, they made school history with winning their first state championship title in Reno, Nevada. With the wind howling and the cold setting in, the warm weathered football team beat the cold and came out with a victory over Churchill County, with a 17-0 final. “Well I knew we were going to win so I was just really excited and I couldn’t believe that we had won the State Championship,” said  senior running-back, Keenan Smith.

The game itself was even one for the books, with Faith’s only shut out game of the season being the State Championship game. The Crusader offense came out strong and put up two touchdowns on the board just before the end of the first half, which was all they would need to win the game.

Trent Dolby, senior, scored the only points of the second half with a field goal, that more than secured the win. The defense powered through the game staying strong throughout and not letting up for even a second.

The entire season, the team’s motto has been “WE WILL WIN.” At last they can finally chant that WE DID WIN! The team proved all their opponents wrong, beating the odds, and creating the season to remember.

With a rough start to the season, losing both of their first two games, many people quickly dismissed the idea of Faith turning around their football program and having any chance at a championship this season.

This quickly changed however with Faith not losing another game that season, with a final record of 12-2 to end the record-breaking season.

Coach Fox told the Las Vegas Sun, “After winning four in a row, the kids got to the place where they had the confidence, they believed and they saw the potential. But we made sure we concentrated on one game at a time and they were mature enough to handle it week to week. We told them to not be worried about winning the state championship. Just be 1-0 and win the week.”

Immediately after the game was over, the celebrations began. The football team, band, dance team, and cheer leaders went to “Sparky’s” pizza parlor to kick off the festivities. A multitude of fans that traveled to Reno to support their team also took place in the celebration .

Even when pulling into the Faith parking lot the next evening, hundreds of fans and students gathered to welcome home the state champs. “It was pretty cool seeing people actually celebrating our victory after such a long season,”said freshman, Christian Marshall. The abundant school spirit filled the cold air. With the camera crews, cheering fans, and state championship title, it was an experience the team will never forget.

For pictures from the game, please refer to Sabrina Hinh’s “17-0, 2013 STATE CHAMPIONS #weDIDwin” photo gallery.