Maximo Barrios' 41-yard field before halftime gave Brother Martin a two-point lead, and the Crusaders didn't look back on their way to a 32-27 District 9-5A victory against Warren Easton on Friday at Tad Gormley Stadium.
Brother Martin (5-4, 2-4) halted a four-game losing streak and will end the regular season next Friday vs. Holy Cross. Easton (3-6, 0-6) lost its sixth in a row and will play Jesuit next week.
After going ahead 15-13 on Barrios' kick, the Crusaders scored in the third quarter on Jack Melancon's 40-yard touchdown run for a 22-13 lead. Another field goal by Barrios stretched the advantage to 25-13.
"It was a huge kick," Crusaders coach Mark Bonis said of Barrios' 41-yarder. "It gave us back the momentum. And that's why when you win the coin toss before the game, you defer to the second half to receive the ball."
Easton coach Jerry Phillips bemoaned his pass defense as a key contributor in the loss.
"We had two busted coverages that left receivers open," he said.
The Crusaders trailed 13-12 before getting the ball with 31 seconds left before halftime. Hudson Fields completed two passes of 18 yards to Julian Cutter, 15 yards to Rex Leblanc and 1 yard to Cutter, setting up Barrios' field goal.
Easton had taken a 13-12 lead with 36 seconds left when Carl Reed, on second and 26 after being sacked, found Ge'gory Emory over the middle. Emory eluded two defenders and outsprinted one to the end zone for a 49-yard touchdown reception.
Brother Martin led 12-6 at 2:31 of the second quarter after the Crusaders received a fifth down after the chain crew got the downs wrong. Barrios kicked a 19-yard field goal after three runs by running back Luca Ascani netted 4 yards and a carry by Jeremiah Burton went for no gain at the 3.
Easton once again was hampered by penalties. The Eagles were whistled for eight penalties for 77 yards. Brother Martin gained three first downs because of Easton penalties. The Crusaders had five penalties for 60 yards. There were a combined five personal fouls called as things became chippy.
The Eagles took a 6-0 lead on the first play from scrimmage when Terrell Surtain broke off a 42-yard run. Two field goals around a 28-yard touchdown pass from Fields to Brodie Dumontier at 10:09 of the second quarter gave the Crusaders a 12-6 lead.
Brother Martin safety Luca Cantanzaro intercepted two passes in the first half.