The Crusaders found a Black Knights squad that was teeming with enthusiasm upon entering Tingvalla on Friday night. The Knights had playoffs on the brain, that's right... Playoffs! Playoffs! With a new import to go with their already developed leader in QB Cody Ladutko, and a recent return at WR this team was ready to roll. Unfortunately for them, so were the Crusaders and the Crusader faithful in downtown Karlstad on a Friday night. The Crusaders jumped to a 15-0 lead early in the first quarter after the defense came out with virtually nothing to offer the team from Orebro. QB Eli Cranor punched the first score in from 2 yards out and hooked up with Fredrik Eklund on a deep scoring try which reminded me of one of my favorite childhood films in which Benny the Jet hit a flyball directly into the mitt of Smalls who was standing in left center with his glove in the air. Eli launched right in front of our sideline. Fredex was streaking well past the defender but the ball seemed to be just a bit too far, as he urged for a few extra full speed paces he looked forward and away from the ball for that split second before the ball lands within a receivers arms. As he looked away he reached out and the ball hit him right in the hands. If a pass had ever been thrown on the target it was this one. Fredrik hauled it in and smoked the defense all the way to the score zone. Two more scoring strikes were granted by the Orebro defense in the form of a 20 yard catch and run by WR Robyn Juhlin and a slant route from Cranor to Eklund with time expiring at the half. Juhlin, pictured at the top, at just 17 years of age is developing outstandingly fast and can rival the likes of Sweden's top ball handlers. 
A dual sport athlete himself, it's not a surprise that his increased role in the offense has him scoring consistently from game to game. One touchdown was added by the Knights in the form of QB Cody Ladutko taking matters into his own hands and scrambling for the short TD run and another long scoring pass from Sweden's top duo before the affair was settled at 35-6 for the home squad.
Highlights for the Black Knights: Cody Ladutko rushing for 90 yards on 11 carries and an uncalculated number of missed tackles forced. His ability to evade the Crusaders defense on numerous plays made for an exciting offense.
Highlights for the Crusaders: Sweden's most dominating receiver had a blast out game with 3 TD's and 178 yards on 6 catches. Fredex cannot be stopped, your only chance is to slow him down. Head Coach and FS Tracey Gere pulled off a magic trick of an interception when after the receiver caught the ball he immediately stripped it away prior to the reciever's ability to haul in the catch, one handed I might add, and returned it into Knight territory.
A game report can be viewed by following this link: Crusaders Ride 35-6
And official statistics of the battle are showed at the SAFF website following this link: CC vs. OBK 8/12
