Holy Cross has a lot to play for on the final day of the regular season.
First, the program will honor its senior class during a Parents’ Day ceremony. Then, the athletes will try to earn a win over Susquehanna and possibly extend their careers one more week.
On Saturday, the Crusaders (3-6) host Susquehanna (0-9) at Monsignor Crotti Memorial Field at St. Anthony’s Park at 1 p.m. Holy Cross withdrew from eligibility for the District 2-11 Class 1A subregional playoffs, but is hoping to remain in contention for a postseason game in the Eastern Conference playoff games in Week 11.
“This group has really come in and done a good job establishing the program,” Holy Cross coach Joe Giorgio said. “We are looking forward to the game because the kids know what is at stake. We set a goal at the beginning of the year to get into the district playoffs or the Eastern Conference. We opted out of the district, and we look forward to the opportunity to play in an EC game if we get the opportunity to do it.
“It would be the cherry on top for these seniors.”
Holy Cross has won at least three games for the third time in a row, for the first time in program history. The Crusaders have enjoyed some highlights in their 2025 season.
The Crusaders had a convincing win over Montrose, 32-6, in Week 1, and back-to-back victories over Columbia-Montour Vo-Tech, 54-22, and Holy Redeemer, 44-38.
Kevin Vincent leads Holy Cross in rushing and scoring. He has 800 yards rushing and 11 touchdowns, and is second on the team in receiving with 13 catches for 93 yards and two touchdowns. He had 346 yards rushing and five touchdowns in the Week 6 win over rival Holy Redeemer.
In four seasons, Vincent has 1,105 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns, scored 19 touchdowns overall, and caught 31 passes for 254 yards.
Freshman quarterback Chase Rutkoski is 46 of 95 passing for 629 yards and four touchdowns.
Chris Transue has 268 yards rushing, Henry Chilewski has 232, and the Wudarski twins, Aiden and Leland, combined for 382 yards and five touchdowns. The Wudarskis are four-year starters. Aiden has 1,581 yards rushing and 14 touchdowns, and Leland has 735 yards and eight touchdowns.
Luca Berardi has 17 receptions for 300 yards, and Jonathan Mills has nine receptions for 115 yards.
Susquehanna is seeking its first win of the season.
The Sabers returned an inexperienced lineup and have worked to improve each week. They lost to Montrose, 20-14, and battled Holy Redeemer before losing 27-20.
Last week, they closed to within 25-13 in the fourth quarter, but ultimately lost 32-13 to Carbondale Area.
Ryder Hobart leads Susquehanna with 435 yards rushing and four touchdowns. He is also the team’s leader on defense.
Gabe Maby has run for 283 yards and three touchdowns, and Mason Keyes has 12 receptions for 206 yards for the Sabers.
D2 Playoffs
With Holy Cross not eligible for the District 2-11 Class 1A subregional, the field was set after Thursday’s game between Marian Catholic and Nativity BVM.
Marian Catholic defeated Nativity BVM, 41-14, and both teams qualified for the subregional.
Lackawanna Trail has clinched the No. 1 seed and will host Nativity BVM on Oct. 31 in the semifinals.
Marian Catholic plays Tri-Valley in the other semifinal. Marian Catholic defeated Tri-Valley, 17-14, in Week 2.