The Waterbury Times|Published Dec, 4 2025

Waterbury-The Class M quarterfinals brought a statement loud enough for the entire state to hear.
Despite entering as the lower seed, Holy Cross exploded for a 51–21 victory over favored Rockville, showcasing the same resilience that carried them to an 8–3 record and counting.

CIAC(Class M)STATE FOOTBALL SEMIFINAL PREVIEW: HOLY CROSS vs BERLIN

The Crusaders controlled every phase—offense, defense, and momentum—turning what many expected to be a tight battle into one of the most decisive wins of the entire bracket. With the upset complete, Holy Cross now sets its sights on a semifinal clash against Berlin on December 8 at 6:30 PM.

Below is the full season recap leading to this playoff surge:

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Holy Cross Crusader Football Season Recap …and still going

Ups, setbacks, and big wins define the Crusaders’ 2024 campaign

The 2025 Holy Cross Crusaders put together one of the program’s most resilient seasons in recent years, finishing 8–3 overall, 4–2 in league play, and advancing to the Class M semifinals after a dominant quarterfinal performance. The year was defined by tough competition, bounce-back victories, and a steady rise into one of the most dangerous teams in the bracket.

A Challenging Start, Followed by a Statement Win

Holy Cross opened the season with a hard-fought loss to Masuk, but the early adversity seemed to sharpen the group. One week later, the Crusaders responded with a 34–28 win on the road at Naugatuck, immediately proving they could deliver under pressure in big environments.

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Midseason Surge

From that point forward, Holy Cross found its rhythm.

A 49–0 shutout at Watertown marked one of the team’s most commanding wins and showed how complete the roster could be. They followed that with a decisive victory over Oxford before heading into one of the toughest stretches of their schedule.

Battles With Top Competition

The Crusaders went toe-to-toe with perennial power Ansonia, falling just 28–26 in a matchup that underscored their growth and competitiveness.

They bounced back with a strong win over Crosby, then earned a gritty road victory over city rival WCA, 19–15 — a game that spoke to the team’s toughness and composure in tight moments.

Late-Season Reset and Rivalry Win

A loss to Woodland added another test, but Holy Cross responded again, closing the regular season with back-to-back wins:

• 36–20 on the road vs. GNHHS (CO-OP)
• 41–6 over Wolcott on Thanksgiving week, bringing home a signature rivalry win

The finish locked in an 8–3 record and secured the Crusaders’ postseason spot.

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Playoff Breakthrough

Holy Cross entered the Class M playoffs as the lower seed, but that didn’t matter. The Crusaders delivered one of the most striking results of the quarterfinals with a 51–21 win over Rockville, advancing to face Berlin in the semifinals.

The performance validated months of growth — and proved that Holy Cross had become a team built for December football.

A Season Defined by Resilience

Across 11 games, the Crusaders showed:

• The ability to bounce back from close losses
• Consistent improvement week to week
• Strength in both rivalry games and pressure situations
• A playoff identity built on toughness and composure

Holy Cross now stands one win away from a chance at a Class M championship appearance.

The journey was long, physical, and full of moments that defined who this team is — and where they’re headed.

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