"That's the two best teams in Buffalo going at it, and hopefully we can see them again."

That was CHS Football coach Kraig Kurzanski '84 after an epic homecoming game in which Elijah Kimble '27 closed in on history with another standout performance and Canisius and St. Francis battled literally until the final seconds ticked off the new video scoreboard overlooking Koessler Field.

Saturday's back-and-forth battle between the two best teams in Western New York lived up to its Game-of-the-Year billing and ended with a 32-29 St. Francis victory when Canisius' field goal attempt failed as the clock expired.

The Crusaders' home opener at the Robert J. Stransky Memorial Athletic Complex was witnessed by a standing-room-only crowd estimated in excess of 3,000.

Kimble had four touchdowns and 272 yards on 33 carries during another outstanding all-around performance. He also had two receptions, completed a pass and made an impact on defense. 

Kimble has now rushed for 6,363 career yards, putting him 197 from breaking the Western New York's all-time record held by Jehuu Caulcrick of Clymer (6,559 yards; 1999-2002).
 
His four touchdowns also moved him into third place on WNY's all-time list. He now has 89, putting him ahead of Trevor Barry (87, Iroquois, 2019-21. Caulcrick is also first on the TD list with 101, followed by Reggie Garner (90, Cardinal O'Hara, 2004-07), the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association's top TD scorer.  

CHS is home for the next two Saturdays at 2 p.m., hosting Canadian national power Huron Heights next week followed by state power CBA Syracuse. 

Canisius, WNY's consensus No. 2 team, is 2-3 and 1-1 in the Monsignor Martin Athletic Association; No. 1 St. Francis is 5-0 and 2-0. Both teams play their remaining league game on Friday Oct. 30 in Week Nine, the final week of the regular season (Canisius is at Bishop Timon-St. Jude, St. Francis hosts St. Joe's). The MMAA semifinals are slated for Nov. 14 and the championship Nov. 21.

Students and families interested in CHS Football and the excellence only found in a Jesuit education at Canisius – ranked by Buffalo Business First as the Buffalo area's "Best Catholic School" and WNY's top private school in "Best High Schools for Athletes" – can learn more by reserving a spot for our Open House on Sunday, Oct. 18 or Monday, Oct. 19 via canisiushigh.org/openhouse

This place is special. Let us show you why.

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