Crusaders play tough, but lose to Collegiate 22-19

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Crusaders play tough, but lose to Collegiate 22-19

Mon, 09/09/2024 - 14:14

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by Tanner Ford/wellington.cc

The Wellington Crusaders enter the 2024 season full of excitement and with high expectations as they return almost every starter on each side of the ball. On Friday, September 6, the Crusaders were on the road to Wichita Collegiate while sporting new away white uniforms and a new “W” decal on their helmets.

It didn’t take long for each team to get their offenses going, scoring a total of 20 points in the first quarter. Collegiate was first to strike with a 10 yard touchdown pass in the first quarter. Wellington quickly answered back when Nick Giefer ran in a 7 yard touchdown. The Spartans closed the quarter with a huge 81 yard touchdown pass to go up 12-7. The second half was a back and forth battle and the only score of the quarter was a Collegiate field goal midway through the quarter. The score going into halftime was 15-7 Spartans.

Wellington came out of halftime and got right to business, driving down the field to score on another 7 yard touchdown, this time by Grady Norris. Later in the third quarter, Dusty Bannister found his favorite target in Carter Burnett for a 21 yard touchdown pass to take the lead 16-15. The Crusader defense buckled down to shut out the Spartans and ended the quarter with the same score. Much like the second quarter, the fourth quarter was a stalemate until Collegiate scored a touchdown with 5 minutes left in the game. Unfortunately Wellington could not answer and lost the game 22-19.

The Dusty Bannister-Carter Burnett connection picked up where it left as Dusty found Carter for 10 receptions, 193 yards, and a touchdown. Bannister finished the game 16-for-30 for 251 yards. Nick Giefer also had a strong game rushing for 64 yards and touchdown on 14 attempts. Even though this wasn’t the outcome the team wanted, there are plenty of positives from this game. The Crusader offense outgained Collegiate 332 yards to 225 yards which also shows the great effort by the defense. The Dukes will have another tough test this week when the Andale Indians come to town on September 13.

Score by quarter:

Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 T

Wellington 7 0 12 0 19

Collegiate 12 3 0 7 22

Individual Stats:

PASSING:

#12 Dusty Bannister: 16/30, 251 yards, TD

RUSHING:

#25 Nick Giefer: 14 att, 64 yards, TD

#12 Dusty Bannister: 8 att, -16 yards, F

#1 : 5 att, 8 yards, F

#23 Grady Norris: 1 att, 7 yards, TD