2021 CTA WPIAL Football 1A Championship Player of the Game: Xavier Nelson (Bishop Canevin)

SOURCE: Bishop Canevin Football (@CrusadersFball)

STUD ALERT: This past Friday, Bishop Canevin defeated Our Lady of the Sacred Heart 42-7 in the WPIAL 1A Football Championship Game. This is the second time in school history that the Crusaders have won a WPIAL Football Title, with the last time being in 1990. Crusaders football player Xavier Nelson balled out by catching two passes for 102 yards (both of those catches resulting in touchdowns), and he returned an interception for a touchdown.

Questions & Answers

You are now a WPIAL champion. How did you feel after beating Our Lady of the Sacred Heart on Friday in a meaningful game?

Xavier Nelson: I felt amazing knowing that all the hard work we put in over the last few months has finally paid off!

After trailing 7-0 at the end of the first quarter, your team scored 42 unanswered points to win the game. What type of in-game adjustments did your team make to secure a blowout victory?

XN: We just locked in mentally and got to work. We started to execute on offense and played lights out on defense after the first score we gave up

How did you celebrate after the win?

XN: I got some Chipotle, I hung out with my teammates and I just enjoyed the night.

Your team will travel to Martorelli Stadium on Friday in the PIAA A Football Semifinals against Redbank Valley. What do you think your team has to do to win that game?

XN: We have to execute on offense, get up on them early, just fly around to the ball and create turnovers on defense.

This is only the second season that head coach Rich Johnson has taken over at Bishop Canevin. What type of impact as he had on you and this team?

XN: He’s made a huge impact on the team and community by bringing a different type of energy. He’s made us focus on the little things and has showed he really cares about us and believes we can win!

Your team is two wins away from a PIAA football title. What would a state championship mean to you, your football team, and the entire Bishop Canevin school?

XN: It would mean the world to us and it would just be great to send our seniors out riding high for all that they have been through over the years.

Bishop Canevin is obviously known as a private school. Whichever school district you live in would have liked you on their football team making plays. What school district would you have played football at if you didn't attend Bishop Canevin?

XN: Canon-McMillan

Who is the best player that you ever played against?

XN: That’s a tough question I’m not really sure, but I’d have to say Logan Dexter from Springdale.

If you could eat dinner with anyone, who would you choose?

XN: Tyreek Hill because he’s my favorite receiver and he plays on my favorite team [Kansas City Chiefs].

What is something that people would be surprised to know about you?

XN: I can ride a unicycle.

Brentaro Yamane: bkyamane@gmail.com and Twitter/Instagram @BYHilton13