Matt Weisker is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Northwest Christian School for AZPreps365.com.

A comeback was too little, too late as the Northwest Christian Crusaders faced the Peoria Panthers in regional play last Friday night in Peoria, losing 21-16. This brought the Crusaders' record to 5-4 as Peoria improved to 6-3 on the year.

Defense was crucial for both teams as Peoria’s defense came to play early. After the Crusaders’ defense forced a punt on the Panthers’ opening drive, junior defensive back Devonte Hendrix picked off Crusaders quarterback Laki Wallwork.

The turnover then set up a 4-minute drive culminating in a 1-yard rushing touchdown from Peoria’s Cristian Zarate on a night where he racked up 111 rushing yards and 28 receiving yards.

On the next Crusaders drive, Wallwork was picked off by senior defensive back Marcell Colenberg, resulting in a 93-yard pick-6. The extra point that followed was missed, making it 13-0 Panthers at the end of the first quarter.

The Crusaders' first possession of the second quarter resulted in a 3-yard rushing touchdown by running back and safety Nathan Johannes with 10 minutes remaining in the second quarter.

The Crusaders then recovered a Panthers fumble and turned that turnover into 3 points.

Following a couple of punts, the Panthers looked to capitalize on a scoring chance, as the Crusaders were set to open the second half with the ball.

The Panthers then fumbled on the Crusader 34-yard line with two minutes remaining in the half with linebacker Conner Main recovering.

The Crusaders ran the clock out until halftime, with the score being a 13-10 Panthers’ lead.

The third quarter featured four punts and a missed field goal, as the Panthers still clung onto their 3-point lead while beginning the fourth quarter with the ball.

The Panthers hit pay dirt 7 minutes into the fourth quarter when senior running back Javon Bell found the endzone on a night where he also earned more than 100 yards rushing. The following two-point conversion from the Panthers was successful, with the score now 21-10.

In a quick 2-minute drive, the Crusaders were back in it. Wallwork found receiver Landon Beckman on a 27-yard touchdown, making it a one-possession game. The ensuing two-point conversion was no good. 

The Panthers then recovered an onside kick and ended up turning the ball over on downs with 2 minutes remaining in Crusaders territory.

From the Panthers’ 45-yard line, the Crusaders conversion on fourth down was ruled short. The Panthers regained possession and kneeled out the clock.

“I’m so proud of my guys,” head coach Dave Inness said. “We played our butts off, and to stop that running game and hold them to two offensive touchdowns is amazing. We’re gonna flush this by the time we get back to school and get ready for next week. It's a playoff game for us.”

Third-year starting center Charlie Dumaplin said what needs to change for an offensive line that gave up three sacks. 

“The mindset is more communication on the line,” Dumaplin said. “Laki [Wallwork] needs all the time he can get. It’s a hit to all of us on the line when he gets hit. Every play starts with us. We need to try harder, there’s always more to give.”

Senior running back, safety and punter Nathan Johannes said the team “really wanted the win.” 

“Of course, we came up short,” Johannes said. “We’re going to keep grinding and go on to next week.”

The Crusaders will look to bounce back at home in their regular season finale against Paradise Honors (5-4) this Thursday, while Peoria seeks its sixth consecutive win, hosting Thunderbird (6-4) on Halloween.