PANTHEON CUP III
(14-5 ) Sacramento Crusaders- 45 (11-8 ) Birmingham Barbarians- 33
Columbus, Ohio: The Sacramento Crusaders became the first franchise to win multiple titles (2015, 2018) as they defeated the Birmingham Barbarians 45-33 in Pantheon Cup III at Mapfre Stadium in Columbus Saturday night.
Trevone Boykin was voted game MVP, completing 13 of 17 passes for 236 yards and 3 touchdowns. He also ran 10 times for 48 yards.
Vic Ballard ran for 96 yards and a touchdown on 7 carries. Stevan Ridley ran 21 times for 64 yards and a touchdown, while also catching a 13 yard pass for a score. Kenny Still had 4 catches for 125 yards and a score. Marquez North caught 4 passes for 44 yards and a touchdown for the Crusaders. Houston Battle led the defense with 9 tackles and a hurry. He also had a 76 yard interception return for a touchdown. James Vaughn had 6 tackles, 1 sack, a stuff and a hurry. Tyrone Holmes also recorded a sack.
Birmingham was led by Trevor Harris who completed 21 of 31 passes for 268 yards and 2 touchdowns. He was sacked twice and threw 2 interceptions.
Rasheed Williams ran 17 times for 122 yards and 2 touchdowns, plus a touchdown reception. Jakeem Grant caught 4 passes for 36 yards and a score. Nic Grigsby had 7 catches for 47 yards. Casey Pierce caught 3 passes for 94 yards and a touchdown. Beau Bell led the Barbarians defense with 11 tackles, a stuff and a forced fumble. DeAndre Collins recorded 8 tackles and 3 stuffs in the loss.
Sacramento got on the board first as Stevan Ridley ran in from 14 yards out, completing a 11 play 63 yard drive. The point after was good, giving the Crusaders a 7-0 lead.
Birmingham tied the score at 7 as Trevor Harris connected with Casey Pierce for a 54 yard touchdown pass. Sacramento would answer as Trevone Boykin hit Stevan Ridley from 13 yards out for a touchdown. The extra point made it 14-7 Crusaders.
Birmingham made it 14-10 early in the second quarter as Sean Whyte converted on a 43 yard field goal. The Barbarians took the lead with 2:38 remaining in the first half as Rasheed Williams took it in from 4 yards out. The extra point made it 17-14 Barbarians. Sacramento tied the score at 17 as Sean Whyte hit from 35 yards out on a field goal. At the Half scored stood at 17-17.
Sacramento took the lead midway through the third quarter as Trevone Boykin connected with Marquez North on 13 yard touchdown pass. A Sean Whyte extra point made it 24-20 Crusaders.
Birmingham took back the lead as Rasheed Williams darted in from 11 yards out. The extra point made it 27-24 Birmingham.
Sacramento made it 31-27 early in the fourth as Boykin found Kenny Still in the endzone for a 20 yard touchdown pass. The Crusaders stretched their lead to 38-27 as Houston Battle intercepted a Trevor Harris pass and took it 76 yards for a score.
Trevor Harris redeemed himself with just under 3 minutes remaining, connecting with Jakeem Grant on a 7 yard touchdown pass making the score 38-33 Crusaders.
Sacramento sealed the win as Vic Ballard ran in from 17 yards out in the closing seconds, giving the Crusaders the 45-33 victory and the Pantheon Cup.
