John Paul II Crusaders head off the field while facing the Delisle Rebels in North Battleford. (John Paul II Collegiate/Facebook)

By Ryan Lambert

John Paul II Football Playoffs

John Paul II downs Delisle to advance to the provincial football quarterfinals

Oct 21, 2025 | 1:06 PM

The John Paul II Crusaders played their first home playoff game in seven years over the weekend, taking down the Delisle Rebels 36-19.

The game couldn’t have started better for the Crusaders when Nate Fransoo brought the opening kickoff all the way back for a touchdown to start the game.

Delisle tied it up a few moments later, before Ryder Kozlowski caught a touchdown to take the lead back late in the half. After that, head coach Nick Strain and the team took a risk that possibly determined the outcome of the whole game.

“We made a gutsy call at the end of the half to go for an onside kick in the last minute, recovered it and that pretty much built it up to the half instead of giving Delisle another shot at making it a one-score game after that,” said Strain. “Special teams were well executed and helped keep us with that two-score game for the rest of the game.”

Kozlowski added two more touchdowns in the second half, and the Crusaders took the 36-19 victory.

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After the win, the team will head to Melville to play in the provincial round of eight against the Melville Cobras. This will be a tough test for John Paul II. The Cobras finished the regular season with a 6-0 record with a 204-point differential throughout the season.

Melville scored 33 or more points in every single regular-season game this season. However, the Crusaders defence has allowed 34 or fewer points in each game this year.

“The defence is going to have to bring their A-game,” said Strain.

The Crusaders coach also said that while it will be a full team effort, he looks for the seniors on the team to have an impact.

“If our seniors and our leaders can go out and do what they’ve been doing, we have a chance against any team in the province.”

The Crusaders will take on the Cobras in Melville on Oct. 25 when they look to advance to the provincial semifinals. With a win against Melville, they would host the provincial semifinals on Nov. 1.

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Ryan.Lambert@pattisonmedia.com