The Crusade
12/08/2006

The Crusade

Story and photographs by John Murray

After years of frustration, the Holy Cross football team uncorked an old fashioned butt whipping on Stratford High School, 40-0, in the Class SS State Championship game.

The Crusaders were led by a dominating defense and an astounding performance from senior running back Dan Mulrooney, who skated across the gridiron like a water bug while piling up 356 yards rushing on just 21 carries. Mulrooney scored four touchdowns and had a fifth, a 90 yard scamper, nullified by a penalty.

After the game Mulrooney quickly told reporters that the victory wasn't about him, it was about a complete Holy Cross team achieving its dream of winning the championship.

The past two seasons had ended in playoff defeats for the Crusaders and the seniors dedicated themselves this year to one thing - winning the state championship.

If one wanted to truly glimpse into the soul of the championship they needn't look any further than the second half performance of two-way starter Dan Awwad.

Awwad, who scored on a 71 yard touchdown reception on the first play during a semi-final victory over Tolland, didn't set foot on the playing field during the second half of the championship. He had separated his shoulder at the outset of the game and stood along the sidelines without shoulder pads, wearing a jacket.

Instead of brooding about his personal disappointment, Awwad enthusiastically cheered on his teammates. After Mulrooney was named the MVP of the game, Awwad screamed in his face "All that work, all that running, all that conditioning - It was worth it!"

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