By COLBY STOESZ
The Martensville Royals were shut out on Friday, September 20, losing 24-0 to the visiting Carlton Crusaders.
The loss moves the Royals to 1-1 on the season and puts them in a tie for second in the North Saskatchewan Football League (NSFL) with North Battleford.
The Royals struggled to build momentum from the get-go.
After holding off the Crusaders on their opening drive, the home team had a chance to strike first against the squad from Prince Albert.
Unfortunately, it wasn’t to be.
A big Martensville reception ended with a fumble, and the ball was once again in Carlton’s hands.
Martensville defensive back Chase Ogden reaches to prevent a Crusader touchdown in the first quarter (Gazette photo by Colby Stoesz)
A fake punt and an untimely penalty resulted in a Crusader touchdown. After one quarter of play, the Royals trailed 7-0.
The bleeding continued into the second quarter for the Royals. Another Crusader touchdown and no points for the home team meant that Martensville went into half-time down 14-0.
Carlton is a strong team. They finished the 2023 regular season undefeated.
However, they lost out in the NSFL semi-finals to the St. Mary’s Marauders.
Looking to avenge their disappointing playoffs, the Crusaders have hit the ground running to start the new season and are fresh off a 28-25 victory over North Battleford, the defending NSFL champions.
Unfortunately for the Royals, they were on the receiving end of Carlton’s quest for a perfect season on Friday night. Martensville gave up another touchdown in the third quarter, and a field goal in the fourth quarter to lose 24-0 to the visiting Crusaders.
The Royals will now look to build confidence this coming Friday as they face the Evan Hardy Souls at Maddogs Field in Martensville.
The game will be Martensville’s only inter-league match of the regular season. The Souls currently sit on top of Saskatoon’s 5A league and are fresh off a 57-6 victory against Mount Royal.