Panhandle Crusaders' owner and head coach Will Walker was excited Friday night. He was given the opportunity to take his team to his hometown of Memphis, Tn. The Melrose High School grad was looking forward to having friends and family at the game to see what the Crusaders are all about.

It wasn't all peaches and cream, though. The Crusaders took the ball first and went backwards on three plays and had to punt the ball away. This was the first time this season that the offense did not put up a touchdown on their opening possession. The defense came out and looked like they were going to hold, until a blown coverage on 4th and long gave the Panthers an early lead. The try for two was no good.

Now trailing, the offense finally woke up. Cortez Abrams carried the ball over the right side to pick up 15 yards. On the very next play, Abrams would carry behind the right side again, but this time he would not be stopped, going 60 yards for the touchdown to tie the game at 6. Extra point attempt by kicker Michael Bailey was no good.

On the Panther's next possession, the Crusader defense would stiffen up, holding them to very little yardage before eventual turnover on downs. When the Crusaders offense came back out, they went to work on the ground again. Octavious Smith would throw in a couple of pass plays every now and then, but they would eventually have to punt the ball away again.

The Crusader defense would stay strong with Ruth Lewis picking off an errant pass. The offense was not gonna let this opportunity get away. Smith would use his legs instead, going in on a 15 yard touchdown run heading into halftime. The 2 point conversion attempt was good giving the Crusaders a 14-6 lead.

The start of the second half saw the Panthers get the ball and come out to put up another touchdown on the Crusaders pulling within 2 points. When the Crusaders came out on offense, you could tell they were on a mission. They pounded the ball on the ground all the way down the field. Abrams would go in again from 20 yards. Smith would find Dale Mack in the corner of the end zone for the 2 point conversion giving the Crusaders a 22-12 lead.

The Panthers' offense would answer back on their next possession, but would fail on the 2 point conversion. The Crusaders came out leading in the fourth quarter 22-18, and it was more of the same. Pounding out the clock, trying to leave the Panthers with very little time. Smith would run it in for his second touchdown of the game. The 2 point conversion was no good.

With under 2 minutes left in the game and trailing 28-18, the Panthers would get the ball back and they would have to air it out needing two scores to take the lead. They scored with 53 seconds left on the clock, and converted the 2 point conversion.

Now trailing 28-26 with very little time left on the clock, the Panthers had now choice but to go for an onside kick. With both teams having their hands teams on the field, the kick would be recovered by the Panthers. The only problem with that was the ball didn't go the necessary 10 yards. The Crusaders got the ball, and it was time for the victory formation.

It was a sweet homecoming for Memphis native Coach Will Walker, and a very happy Father's Day for all the Crusaders on the return trip to Pensacola.