Crimson Wave Sprint Football claims 2023 Midwest Sprint Football League Championship with 31-0 win over St. Mary-of-the-Woods

Terre Haute, IN – In just the second season of the Midwest Sprint Football League, the Calumet College Sprint Football team hoisted the 2023 MSFL title after a 31-0 shutout victory over St. Mary-of-the-Woods.

Last season, the Crimson Wave claimed the regular season MSFL title, but fell in the championship to St. Mary-of-the-Woods 23-7. Opening this season with three loses in September, including opening night to the Pomeroys 28-10, CCSJ ended the year with six straight wins. CCSJ becomes the second team in the MSFL to win the championship.

How it Happened

Both teams got off to a rough start in the championship as neither team was able to score in the first half. Both teams committed at least three penalties for 20 yards or more and each team went 1-of-7 on 3rd down plays.

On the opening drive in the third quarter, Trevor Busse pulled down an interception at the St. Mary 29-yard line. Five plays later, Nino Barbosa connected with Kaydarious Jones for a 7-yard touchdown that gave the Wave the lead.

With 6:16 left the in the third quarter Jared Saez nailed a 32-yard field goal that extended CCSJ's lead to 10.

Less than two minutes remaining in the third, Quindarius Davis picked off St. Mary for the second time of the afternoon, returning it 60 yards to the St. Mary 10-yard line. Before the quarter closed, Jamall Warnell rushed in for a 15-yard touchdown, giving Calumet College of St. Joseph a 17-0 advantage.

In the fourth quarter, the Crimson Wave poured it on as Nino Barbosa connected with Jacob Oehman on two separate occasions for two touchdowns. Oehman caught a 47-yard touchdown pass from Barbosa just three minutes into the fourth quarter and with less than five minutes remaining, caught a 15-yard pass that sealed CCSJ's 31-0 win.

For the game, Crimson Wave recorded 304 total yards compared to St. Mary-of-the-Woods 165. Calumet College of St. Joseph posted 149 rushing yards total compared to the Pomeroys five. CCSJ's defense not only stopped the St. Mary's rushing attack, but it also forced the Pomeroys to go 2-of-13 on third down and commit 12 penalties for 140 yards.

Crimson Wave Leaders

Nino Barbosa led the Wave in passing going 10-of-16 for 155 yards and three touchdowns. He also led the team in rushing with 108 yards on 15 carries. Elijah Antis posted 45 yards on 21 carries and Jamall Warnell recorded the one rushing touchdown for CCSJ on a 15-yard carry.

Jacob Oehman caught two receptions for 62 yards and two touchdowns while Kaydarious Jones caught five passes for 59 yards and one touchdown.

Defensively, Josh Tejeda led the Wave with 11 total tackles and three sacks while Trevor Busse recorded eight tackles and one interception. Quindarius Davis had two interceptions and a sack on the afternoon while Robinson Hale had two sacks as well.