CCH Crusaders look for first city football championship repeat in eight years

The CCH Crusaders are looking to clinch their second straight WOSSAA football title. CTV London's Brent Lale catches up with the team.

With their sights set on a second straight WOSSAA football title, the CCH Crusaders took their practice indoors to BMO Centre this week.

With heavy snowfall on Monday and Tuesday, the Crusaders were able to keep themselves fresh and run their offence and defence effectively.

Asst. Coach Mark Howard said if the weather looked poor, they would have gone outdoors to acclimate to the weather, but the forecast looks good for the city final against St. Andre Bessette, which has been moved to Friday at 4 p.m. at CityWide Field.

“This is what a lot of us came back for,” said Giovanni Desando, the Crusaders centre.

“It’s really exciting. We’ve already played these guys in the regular season, so it’s fun to match up against them again. We’re lucky to be inside and really prepare for a good team.”

The first time these two teams met was in week three of the TVRA season and CCH came away with a 42-0 victory.

“We just need to make sure we’re locked in,” said Crusaders star linebacker Nathan Summers.

“Last game was 42-0, so we can’t let that get into our head and over got overconfident.”

Crusaders Head Coach Alex Kurowski is not taking anything for granted. He was preparing his team hard at practice Tuesday. He was concerned about the Bulldogs running game and star quarterback Liam Sweeney.

Canada Football Chat has the 8-0 Crusaders ranked number four in the country heading into this week’s final.

“We really just have to lock in,” said DeSando.

“The rankings don’t really mean anything because we know we’re a good team. We can only really just be the best that we can be.”

A Crusaders win would make them the first repeat champion since South CI won in 2016 and 2017.

“That would be special,” said Summers.

“I think it’s been a decade that’s been done in, and London, so we’re hoping to prove to everybody that we’re the best.”

The winner will play in the OFSAA Western Bowl in Guelph on Nov. 24, 2025