CLARK, NJ- The Arthur L. Johnson High School Crusaders varsity football team knew a major task was on hand, when they went up against the Roselle-Abraham Clark High School Rams team that defeated the Crusaders by a final score of 56-41 in an offensive shootout last year. Both teams came in to Friday night’s competition with 2-0 records.
Despite trailing through three quarters, the Crusaders stormed back in the fourth quarter, fighting against the Rams defense with their running game and securing the win with a final score of 23-13, marking the Crusaders first win against Roselle since 2015. It is also the first time since 2007 that Johnson has started the season off with a 3-0 record.
The Crusaders opened the scoring, when senior quarterback Mike Bruno found Rapp for a 25-yard touchdown pass to give Johnson the 7-0 lead.
Just as quickly as Johnson scored, Roselle found a way to respond.
Rams senior Nasir Cherry delivered on a kickoff return deep into Johnson territory, getting to the Johnson 30-yard line. On that drive, Rams senior Craig McRae took it to the end zone, a ten-yard rushing touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.
The next drive saw the Crusaders starting at their own 15-yard line. Bruno spiked the Crusaders on the ground with a 46-yard rush that put Johnson into Roselle territory. He finished the night with 122 rushing yards on ten carries.
The offense stalled and senior kicker Mike Casalino connected for a 30-yard field goal to put his team ahead 10-7, the score after one quarter of play.
The third quarter featured no points, but both teams battling at each other on defense, the complete opposite from a year ago.
Near the end of the third quarter, the Crusaders defense kept them in the game. They slowed down Roselle on offense, but for the Crusaders, all it took was a great read of a pass-play to change the tone of the game heading into the final quarter.
Rams junior quarterback Quraan Dixon threw a deep pass, but was intercepted by Johnson senior Brandon Rapp, setting up the Crusaders as the third quarter ended, with his team trailing 13-10.
“We’ve been expecting the bubble-and-go the entire time,” Rapp said. “As soon as they did it, [Quraan Dixon] chucked it up, I knew I was going to get it.”
Full Coverage of Johnson’s Home Win over Roselle-Abraham Clark Here
