Crusaders clinch at least share of league crown with win over Cheyenne

Faith Lutheran's football team scored twice in the first quarter Friday then survived a second half of trading turnovers to beat Cheyenne, clinching at least a tie for the Sunset League title.

The Crusaders (7-2, 4-0 Sunset) scored on their first posession, going 52 yards on 13 plays. On the Desert Shields’ second play of offense, Christian Marshall recovered an errant lateral pass to help Faith Lutheran find the end zone again.

The Crusaders appeared to be in control after they traveled 85 yards on 16 plays to score on a 10-yard pass from Jake Deaville to Mark Rubalcaba with less than a minute to play in the half, but the Desert Shields hung in with a 48-yard kickoff return and a four-play drive capped by an 11-yard pass from Anthony McConnico to Deonte Perkins with no time on the clock. Jordan Johnson, who led the Desert Shields with 76 yards rushing, rushed for the 2-point conversion.

Faith Lutheran put away the game late in the fourth with a 39-yard strike form Deaville to Vinny DeGeorge, who led the Crusaders with 60 yards receiving. Fabian Lagudi finished with 93 yards rushing and one touchdown for Faith Lutheran.

Perkins totaled 74 yards receiving for Cheyenne (2-6, 2-2).