Huskies, Crusaders renew their rivalry in first-ever Pacific League showdown

By Ray Hamill — Both quarterbacks played crucial roles in the first-ever Pacific League football matchup on Thursday night, as the newly-named league got life off to an exciting start at Husky Field.

Fortuna hosted St. Bernard’s in a matchup of defending Big 4 co-champs, and the two schools did not disappoint with a game that went down to the final minutes.

And when all was said and done, it was the host Huskies who walked away with a statement 28-21 win, edging a rival that always seems to bring out the best in them.

Both quarterbacks combined for five of the seven touchdowns scored, with Fortuna senior Will Shaw running in for three and SB senior Trenten Hagler running in for two.

Both also benefitted from some strong play by their offensive lines.

The Crusaders were missing some key players through injury and suspension, including the influential injured duo of Garrett Shanahan and Robert Sirrine, but that wasn’t the only reason the Huskies pulled out the win.

“I think that overall we played well as a group,” Fortuna head coach Mike Benbow said. “It was a battle. I know that they were shorthanded, but our kids played well.”

St. Bernard’s head coach Matt Tomlin also praised the Huskies for the way they played and how they approached the big showdown.

“I tip my cap to coach Benbow and his players,” Tomlin said. “They executed their game plan well and kept our offense off the field.”

Both teams pieced together long drives, including possessions of 10 (St. Bernard’s) and 14 plays (Fortuna) in the opening quarter, although that Crusaders’ drive stalled while the Huskies’ opening drive ended in Shaw’s first score of the night.

That would kind of set the tone for the game.

The Crusaders would open their account on their second drive of the game, with the help of a face mask penalty called against the home team on the kickoff return and a 38-yard completion from Hagler to Henry Hinrichs.

Hagler would run into the end zone from four yards out just three plays later to open his team’s account.

After an onside kick was recovered by the Huskies, they quickly went to work again on offense, driving 45 yards on two plays and scoring on a seven-yard Brice Pancoast TD run to double their tally.

A 48-yard pass from Shaw to Easton Essig set up that touchdown.

The score would remain the same going into halftime as both defenses began to grow into the game with a sort of bend-don’t-break mentality.

“What impressed me the most was just the resilience of my team, continuing to play,” Benbow said. “Regardless of the situation, we’re going to play for four quarters. That’s what we asked them to do and exactly what they did.

“Our O-line, I thought, did a great job, and our defense stepped up and made plays when they had to.”

After forcing a quick three-and-out by Fortuna on the opening possession of the second half, the Crusaders would pull within one on a seven-yard Hagler TD run midway through the third quarter.

However, a blocked PAT would leave them trailing by one.

The Huskies answered with an 11-play, 69-yard drive that ended with Shaw’s second TD run of the night, this one good for two yards.

That was the drive that essentially won the game for the Huskies and a statement possession just as the momentum appeared to be shifting.

It also took six and a half minutes off the clock, and a two-point conversion run by Shaw put the home team up by two scores (22-13).

St. Bernard’s next possession ended on a fumble deep in Fortuna territory, but the Huskies were unable to take advantage and were held to a quick three-and-out.

But the Crusaders were unable to take advantage of that and gave the ball back to the home team on downs just four plays later.

The Huskies would then add to their tally, driving 51 yards on five plays, and Shaw ran into the end zone from one yard out to put his team up 28-13 with 3:15 remaining.

But just as we thought the game was all over, sophomore Mason Long worked his magic again, scoring on a 70-yard kickoff return, before a two-point conversion pulled the visitor back within one score (28-21) with plenty of time remaining.

It was the second time in six days that the impressive Long scored on a long play late in the game to give his team a chance at an unlikely comeback, having also done so against Ferndale on Saturday.

“I think our sophomore Mason Long is getting better every game,” Tomlin said of the playmaker. “And he had an excellent game last night.”

However, a first down by the Huskies after they recovered the ensuing onside kick just moments later allowed them run out the clock and hold on for the win.

Missing key players certainly affected the Crusaders, although some of the players they called on rose to the challenge.

“As far as our guys with suspensions and injuries, we had eight sophomores starting,” Tomlin said. “And they played their tails off, and I’m super proud of them.”

Hagler also impressed, yet again, and he has been a difference maker since throwing four interceptions against St. Vincent de Paul on opening weekend — running the ball, passing the ball and running the offense.

“He did everything he could,” Tomlin said of the senior standout.

So too did senior lineman Teqkauri Achane, who has taken his game to a whole new level this fall and is enjoying an outstanding season in the trenches.

“He just played so well for us and brought a physicality,” Tomlin said. “I think he’s playing really well right now.”

So too are several of the Huskies, as the team ran for 244 yards on 43 carries, including Essig who finished with 84 yards on 19 carries.

Pancoast added 75 yards on nine carries, while Shaw finished with 68 yards on 10 carries.

“It really turned into a team effort, and that’s what we preach,” Benbow said. 

This was the fourth time these two schools have faced off in the past 12 months, including a playoff meeting in 2025, and it has long since turned into a must-see rivalry for North Coast fans.

“I think because both of our programs have been strong for the past few years, we really look forward to the challenge of playing them,” Benbow said. “If you’re going to be the best you have to beat the best.”