Last Friday night our Football Patriots battled it out with the SBA Crusaders. The way the Crusaders ran their offense is very challenging for a defense. The constant push and drive our players need to do to be successful in a game like this is mentally and physically draining. We made the stops when we really needed to and our defense outlasted the Crusaders. Great job Patriots defense!
Our defense was on the field for what would have been a normal game and a half for our defense. We made three or four fourth down stops during the game, which each of themselves were game winners for us. We had two big interceptions as well. The first by #3 Devin Enander, which lead to our first touchdown. A 99 yard touchdown run by #23 Blaze Binger and #56 Dalton Rathjen finishing it off with a two point conversion run. Our second interception was by #8 Payton Chasing Hawk; he ran the interception back for an 80 yard touchdown. Our offense was on the field just long enough for #22 Neil Salmen to throw a short pass in the beginning of the third quarter to #8 Payton Chasing Hawk for a 29 yard touchdown with #56 Dalton Rathjen finishing it off with a two point conversion. This score put the Patriots in enough of a lead to outlast the Crusaders with two scores in the fourth quarter. #22 Neil Salmen was injured on the play and will be out the remainder of the season. Thank you Neil for your effort and willingness to step up as an eighth grader for your Patriots football team.
Here's to another week of Patriots Football where we will need to find our athletes to fill important roles for us during our upcoming weeks. Luckily, we don't have to go too far. #32 Aiden Frankenstein is now ready to play and will be stepping into our quarterback role this week. We are very excited to have Aiden back and look forward to a great week of football. Please come out and support the Patriots this Friday in Tulare where we will face off with the Ipswich Tigers at 7PM. The Lady Patriots Basketball team will be selling a meal deal at the game, come out and enjoy. Go HT Patriots!