Ashling Filiippi is an ASU Cronkite School of Journalism student assigned to cover Northwest Christian High School for AZpreps365.com

As the football season winds down, the class of 2025 seniors start to say goodbye and celebrate what’s to come. The Northwest Christian Crusaders had something to celebrate after playing the Buckeye Union Hawks for their senior night, winning 49-28.

The game started slow, but once the four-minute mark hit so did the Crusaders defense. The Crusaders picked up a fumble on the Hawks' opening drive and helped move the ball offensively.

The Crusaders Dre Bair scored on a 2-yard touchdown to put his team on the board, to eventually make it 7-0.

Still, by the end of the first quarter – and after the Crusaders took an early lead – the Hawks scored two touchdowns before the Crusaders ended the quarter, 14-14.

The Crusaders tied it up on a big play when quarterback Laki Wallwork hit Nathan Johannes on a 96-yard touchdown pass.

By the time the half came, the Crusaders were ahead, 28-21.

The Crusaders didn’t help their cause, having two turnovers which led to two Hawks touchdowns.

Head coach David Inness said his team at halftime showed strong leadership.

“They were already correcting stuff before we even got in,” he said. “We just changed a couple of different things, and the big thing was not to turn the ball over.”

Inness said at the start of the third quarter, “they came out determined. It’s senior night, we got to make sure we’re taking care of our seniors.”

After returning to the field from the half the Crusaders dominated the game, scoring three touchdowns and only allowing one touchdown.

The seniors showed up on their night. 

Senior running back Johannes who leads the team in rushing yards,  was a big playmaker on both sides of the ball. Johannes has continued to be crucial in much of the Crusader’s success, in addition to putting some of his own points up on the board. He had a 25-yard touchdown.

Also on the offense, senior wide receiver Devon Helmer, Northwest Christian’s leader in receiving yards, made his presence known to the Hawks’ defense by putting up a few points, as well. He scored on a 17-yard pass.

While speaking about the different players who stand out, Inness pointed out that “they don’t do anything without the linemen. It’s a team game.”

Northwest Christian sealed its win with a touchdown at the end of the fourth quarter for the final score.

The night wasn’t all for the seniors. Crusaders junior quarterback Laki Wallwork made some impressive moves of his own. Spinning out of multiple potential sacks and rushing the ball on his own to help his team move the ball get their downs.

After the big win, Inness had nothing but good things to say about the Crusaders quarterback.

Despite Wallwork being a junior he “is a great leader, one of the best attitudes on the team. He’s a team-first guy.”