Resilient Althoff posts come-from-behind win in opening round of IHSA postseason
Surviving some perilous moments, Althoff’s football team is advancing in the IHSA Class 2A postseason.
The No. 14 seed Crusaders led 31-6 at halftime against No. 3 seed Shelbyville, saw that big lead turn into a 34-31 deficit but regrouped to score in the fourth quarter and post a 38-34 road victory.
“The first half, we had a really high level of execution of both sides of the ball,” Althoff coach Austin Frazier said. “I don’t think we had a drop and had all positive plays. We did not commit any penalties. That was great. Defensively, we had a turnover. It was really just an outstanding performance in that first half.
“The second half maybe was the exact opposite. We struggled on offense, had four turnovers and some penalties. It was Jekyll and Hyde.”
Althoff improved to 6-4 and now will face Red Bud in a second round game next Saturday. The sixth-seeded Musketeers (8-2) defeated No. 11 seed Nashville 34-21 in a first round game Saturday.
All in all, when the dust settled, the outcome thrilled Frazier, whose team was making their first playoff appearance since 2017.
“All that matters is we’re advancing in the playoffs,” he said. “It really was a tale of two halves. We played a perfect offensive first half and scored on every possession. But give credit to Shelbyville. They’re an explosive group and really got going in the second half.
“Nothing about this season has been easy. It’s another game our guys made things as interesting as they could. But a win is a win. It’s a very happy bus coming home.”
Junior quarterback Braylon Grayson’s 70-yard touchdown strike to sophomore Charleston Coldon with about 6 minutes left put the Crusaders ahead to stay.
“That was a great play,” Frazier said.
Althoff then got the ball back and, while attempting to run out the clock, fumbled with about a minute and a half left. However, the Crusaders’ defense held down the fort, sending the team into round two.
“The playoff atmosphere is one thing,” Frazier said of the night and day difference between halves. “We have a largely young group. Even if some of the players are not young, they haven’t been in these types of highly competitive games — playoff style games where all the little things show.
“I think we’re really fortunate to come out with a victory and have the opportunity to fix some of those technique or situational flaws in the second half for the second round.”
Furthermore, Frazier praised his club’s resiliency.
“Again, it’s been a while since we’ve been in the playoffs,” he said. “We’re very excited. I’m really proud of this entire group fighting through some adversity in the end and coming out on top when it looked like the chips were stacked against us. This was a really good team win.”
