Two of the top high school football teams in the state of Wisconsin squared off to open the 2022 season. #3 Catholic Memorial and #1 Franklin both are the defending State Champions of their respective divisions. The expectations were high, and these two teams delivered an exceptional game. Catholic Memorial won a hard-fought battle by a score of 34-28. This game had explosive touchdown drives, a handful of forced turnovers, and a special appearance by a Wisconsin Badger.
A little over 2 minutes away from kickoff. Both teams have arrived on the sidelines and are preparing for the National Anthem. #wisfb pic.twitter.com/nPC2uoh2dM
— Wisconsin Sports Heroics (@WiSportsHeroics) August 20, 2022
First Quarter
The game began with Franklin kicking off to Catholic Memorial for a 7 pm start. The Catholic Memorial Crusaders wasted no time getting started. They immediately had two huge rushing plays that caught Franklin’s defense off guard but were called back on the second play due to a penalty. However, Catholic Memorial wasn’t fazed at all, as they followed up the penalty with an 80-yard rushing touchdown by star running back Corey Smith.
Franklin attempted to push back with a big rushing play of their own by running back Terrance Shelton Jr. However, after being held to a field goal, the kick was missed wide left. Momentum seemed to be heavily favoring Catholic Memorial, but just as the Crusaders were marching down the field, the Sabers forced a fumble and recovered near mid-field. The Crusaders’ defense did not let Franklin get easy points off of the turnover, with Linebacker Keith Williams getting a huge third-down sack on Sabers Quarterback Boston Halloran.
Catholic Memorial was unable to capitalize on the chance to go up 14-0. On their way down the field, Franklin forced another fumble to stop the Crusaders and give the Saber offense another shot at tying the game. This time, the Sabers were able to punch it in to tie up the game at 7-7 to end the first quarter.
Big run for @TSheltonJr to get Franklin to the 1 yard line. Two plays later Franklin punches it in for their first touchdown of the season. @saberfootball_ QB @BostonHalloran pushes through through TWO @cmhfootball defensive linemen to get his RB into the end zone! #wisfb
— Wisconsin Sports Heroics (@WiSportsHeroics) August 20, 2022
Second Quarter
The second quarter began with some impressive rushes by Franklin QB Boston Halloran. Although the Sabers’ offense was stopped and forced to punt, Halloran began to get more comfortable in his role as QB1. On the following drive, Catholic Memorial showed their rushing dominance once again with another rushing touchdown to go up 14-7. Before the Crusaders’ fans could even take a seat, the special teams unit successfully converted an onside kick and got their offense back on the field.
Catholic Memorial follows their touchdown with an onside kick recovery. CMH ball with 4:26 left to go in the half. CMH 14 – FHS 7. #wisfb
— Wisconsin Sports Heroics (@WiSportsHeroics) August 20, 2022
The Crusaders rushed their way down the field once again. They worked their way into the endzone to go up 21-7 with three minutes left in the first half. They tried to onside kick it again, but the kick was botched and Franklin began with the ball on the Crusaders’ 32-yard line. Franklin did not waste the opportunity and the Sabers were able to score with less than 20 seconds remaining in the half. After a failed hook and ladder play by Catholic Memorial as time expired, the first half ended with the Crusaders leading the Sabers 21-14.
Halftime here in Franklin. After a first half filled with explosive offensive plays, @cmhfootball 21 – @Saber_Football 14. #wisfb
— Wisconsin Sports Heroics (@WiSportsHeroics) August 20, 2022
A Badger Makes an Appearance
Fans at the game noticed right away that their beloved QB from last year’s State Championship team, Myles Burkett, was in attendance for Franklin’s home opener. After winning State, Burkett enrolled early at the University of Wisconsin to begin working with his future Badger teammates.
Dressed in his red Badger athlete gear, Burkett spent the entirety of the game on Franklin’s sideline. Throughout the game, Burkett could be seen talking strategy with his former teammates, reviewing tape with coaches, and helping new QB Boston Halloran take control of the Sabers’ offense.
Freshman @BadgerFootball QB @myles_burkett continues to give advice to his former @Saber_Football teammates on the Franklin sideline. pic.twitter.com/Fz4yAlonb0
— Wisconsin Sports Heroics (@WiSportsHeroics) August 20, 2022
Burkett’s presence on the sideline was clearly beneficial because after working with key players, the Saber offense began to click much better. After the first half, Burkett was seen spending some extra time talking with QB Boston Halloran during his warm-ups. Perhaps Burkett helped to ease the nerves of the Senior QB on opening night because for the rest of the game, Halloran was locked in and willing to do whatever it took to bring Franklin back.
Third Quarter
The second half began with punts on the first drive of both teams. However, once Franklin got the ball back for their second drive of the half, they were determined to score. Boston Halloran opened up the drive with a huge 40+ yard pass to bring the Sabers to the 13-yard line. Immediately after, the Crusaders were called for encroachment, moving the Sabers up to the 8-yard line. Halloran took matters into his own hands and rushed for an 8-yard touchdown.
Boston Halloran with the quarterback keeper for an 8-yard touchdown run as @Saber_Football ties up @cmhfootball 21-21 with 6:00 remaining in the third quarter.
— ESPN Milwaukee (@ESPNMilwaukee) August 20, 2022
Catholic Memorial then took over with the game tied at 21-21. Although they were able to move the ball down the field, they kept backing themselves up with penalties. Halfway through the third quarter, the Crusaders had already racked up over ten penalties for well over 50 yards.
Corey Smith, the Crusaders’ star running back wasn’t bothered by the penalties. He followed up his huge first half with another touchdown in the third quarter. That score put Catholic Memorial up 28-21 at the end of three quarters.
Fourth Quarter
The Sabers began the fourth quarter burning a lot of time off of the clock. The suspense was incredibly high when QB Boston Halloran ran the ball on 4th & 1 and the officials needed to measure the spot. An audible sigh of relief came when the officials signaled first down, and the Sabers were now threatening to score. Their hard work eventually paid off with another 1-yard touchdown by Terrance Shelton. This tied the game up at 28-28.
Catholic Memorial was not shaken by the late comeback attempt. The Crusaders continued to run the ball all over Franklin and marched their way down the field. After getting pushed back into their own territory, Franklin’s defense got a clutch sack on third down. This forced the Crusaders to go for it on 4th & 19 from Franklin’s 30-yard line. After an incredible effort from the Crusaders’ offense, a pass was completed for 19 yards and forced the officials to measure the spot. The officials ruled that the Crusaders had gotten a first down, which deflated the Franklin crowd.
Touchdown Crusaders! Catholic Memorial takes the lead with 1:33 left in the game. However, the Crusaders botch the extra point opportunity. Catholic Memorial 34 – Franklin 28. We’re coming down to the wire folks. #wisfb
— Wisconsin Sports Heroics (@WiSportsHeroics) August 20, 2022
Catholic Memorial was then able to score with 1:33 left in the game. However, they botched the extra point opportunity and left the door open for a comeback. Franklin’s offense took the field at their 20-yard line and immediately got stuffed by the Crusaders. Following the first two plays, QB Boston Halloran was visibly injured and was helped off the field. This left the final two attempts to backup QB Joseph Kallay. The Crusaders, who had no intentions of giving Kallay any time in the pocket, shut down the Sabers. The Crusaders then took the field in victory formation and knelt to run the final 0:12 off the clock.
A Special Moments After the Game
In the end, the Crusaders won an incredibly hard-fought battle by a score of 34-28. Catholic Memorial’s victory was a special moment for their head coach Bill Young as well. Tonight’s game was his 500th career game as the Crusaders’ head coach. The victory brought his career win/loss record to 380-120. A brief celebration took place on the field for Coach Young. His players and family congratulated him on his achievements as head coach of the Crusaders. It was truly a heartwarming moment for a man who has given nearly 44 years to the Catholic Memorial football program.
On the other side of the field, the Franklin Sabers were visibly disappointed. They had high expectations to continue the legacy left by last year’s team by going undefeated. The possibility of back-to-back undefeated seasons is now gone. However, the Sabers showed incredible effort against one of the best teams in the state.
Special moment on the Franklin sideline as former Franklin QB Myles Burkett consoles a injured and disappointed Boston Halloran. This is the lasting brotherhood the Franklin players talked about. #wisfb pic.twitter.com/hdVU7k4pCH
— Wisconsin Sports Heroics (@WiSportsHeroics) August 20, 2022
To make matters worse, their starting QB Boston Halloran was still sitting on the sideline going through the concussion protocol. That’s when Myles Burkett came over and sat next to his successor. Burkett immediately put his arm around Halloran and stayed with him while the Crusaders celebrated on the field. It was truly inspiring to see Burkett take the time to support Halloran. Earlier this week, several Sabers student-athletes stated how important brotherhood was to their program. To me, Burkett’s actions proved that the brotherhood is one that lasts even after players graduate. It remains to be seen how long Halloran will be out. However, once he’s back, Franklin has a really solid QB leading the offense.
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