Carlton's Tucker Prodaehl (#4) gets tackled by a pair of North Battleford defenders following a short run during the first game of the North Sask. Football League (NSFL) season at Max Clunie Field in Prince Albert on Sept. 12, 2025. (Logan Lehmann/paNOW Staff)

By Logan Lehmann

High School Football

Carlton topples North Battleford in season opener

Sep 12, 2025 | 10:49 PM

The Carlton Crusaders picked up where they left off from last season on Friday night.

The Cru continued their winning ways at Max Clunie Field in Prince Albert against the North Battleford Comprehensive Vikings, taking down the visitors 32-14.

The win continues their winning streak after claiming the 5A Provincial Championship in November, where it marked the end of an undefeated season. Friday’s win marks their ninth straight victory.

Prior to kick off though, a moment of silence was held for one of Carlton’s own, Rocky Urschel. Urschel was a Grade 12 student at Carlton last year and a member of the Crusaders historic football team, before tragically passing away earlier this year on April 25 in a car accident. In an emotional moment, Urschel’s family joined Carlton’s captains at centre field in the coin toss and some were seen wiping away tears. Carlton would win the coin toss.

North Battleford received the ball first, but couldn’t muster any offence and were forced to punt. On their first play of the game, Carlton’s Tucker Prodaehl broke away for a massive gain that set up Rylan Morrison for an easy rushing touchdown two plays later to put the Crusaders up, 7-0.

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The very first play of North Battleford’s ensuing drive was then intercepted by Sawyer Elphinstone, however, the Vikings defence managed a stop and forced Carlton to attempt a field goal. After a botched snap, kicker Zane Litzenberger scooped up the loose ball and took it to the house for another seven points, making it 14-0.

North Battleford would go three-and-out on the very next drive before they finally had a break. Carlton’s Colm Phillips threw an interception in his own end, leading to a long field goal attempt that was nailed from 40 yards out by Max Gubbe. The score was 14-3 after the first quarter.

North Battleford scored the first points of the second frame with another field goal, before Carlton answered with one of their own on the next possession, making it 17-6.

After both teams traded the ball, Carlton would get the next big play when Morrison broke several tackles for a 30 yard gain, getting the Crusaders into field goal range where they would convert again just before halftime.

After Carlton put yet another field goal through the uprights to take a 23-6 lead in the third quarter, Morrison scored another touchdown to start the fourth to push the Cru to 30 points on the night.

Hope still glimmered for the Vikings with less than five minutes to play in the fourth when Corey Cherney ran the ball in from 17 yards out to give North Battleford their first touchdown of the game. The Vikings then went for two on the point after and were successful, cutting into the deficit and making it 30-14.

However, with 40 seconds to go, a Carlton punt was received in the endzone where the ballcarrier was tackled, giving the Crusaders two more points en route to a 32-14 victory in Week 1.

Carlton head coach Lindsay Strachan said the team was operating on all cylinders.

“We got off to a really good start. Defence and offence, we were clicking and in specials and in all three phases. A couple mental errors snuck in there part way through the second, maybe brought us down a bit, but we were better than last week and we’re going to get better yet so, back to work on Monday.”

Following four successful field goal attempts, including a fifth that turned into a touchdown, Strachan was pleased with his special teams early on.

“Zane [Litzenberger] has got a great leg, I mean he used to be a soccer kid and he’s a great competitor. He’s stepped in this year for us and had a great night.”

Carlton now has their one and only exhibition contest next on their schedule when they host the Aden Bowman Bears from Saskatoon on Friday, Sept. 19. Kickoff is set for 6:30 p.m.

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loganc.lehmann@pattisonmedia.com