CARVER – The last time Carver even sniffed a significant Super Bowl run was back in 2000 when the Crusaders made the finals only to lose.

Now, 23 years later, the undefeated Crusaders rolled to a 49-27 victory over No. 7 KIPP Academy, last year’s Division 8 Super Bowl runner-up, to earn a chance at the Final Four in Division 8.

Sophomore Nathan Helms hauled in five catches for 72 yards and scored three first-half touchdowns, while his senior captain brother, Jameson, scored twice on rushing touchdowns, with both coming in the second half.

With the Helms brothers compiling five touchdowns, it overshadowed the amazing work again from senior quarterback Tyler Lennox. Lennox threw for 353 yards on 22-of-32 passing as the senior captain connected on 68% of his passing attempts with five touchdowns through the air.

“It was a big game and it just felt good,” said the younger Helms. “Tyler is a great player, and he just throws dimes and it’s great having him as my quarterback. It’s not a bad thing being in the shadow of my brother because he’s just such a great player.”

Despite contributing a bit as a freshman, this was Nathan Helms’ first start and he picked the perfect time for his breakout game in one of the more important games in recent Carver football history.

“Nobody probably knew who number three was when he was out there, he was hurt for a few weeks, and he was outstanding. Robbie Peterson had two touchdowns and the other Helms had two so the brothers had five touchdowns and of course, Lennox did his thing”, said Carver head coach Ben Shuffain. “The biggest game of these kids’ career and they got it done.”

The Panthers (7-3) can’t hang their heads as senior quarterback Chanel Gutierrez did all he could to keep his team in the game with 159 yards on only 14 carries out a quarterback option style of offense. Morenel Castro was also outstanding for KIPP with three rushing touchdowns, but it wasn’t enough as Carver moves on to face the Hoosac Valley-Old Colony winner on Saturday, for the right to go to Gillette Stadium.

Jack Balzarini, in his first start as a defensive end moving up the line from linebacker, recorded two key sacks and added four quarterback pressures. James Callahan (11 tackles) and Teagan Zakrzewski anchored the rest of the defense and limited the KIPP Academy option runs most of the night.

“It’s all the players and coaches working together, but without them buying and doing the little things – this doesn’t happen. The players get all the credit in the world,” said Shuffain, who is only in his second season after going 3-8 in 2022 for a complete turn of fortunes for the Crusaders. “Jack was great played some defensive end last year for us, but we knew we had to bracket (KIPP) the end because they are so fast to the outside. Jack is a heck of a football player, was great, and he gave us a little more speed on the end. “