St. Henry junior Lucas Pate rushed for 223 yards and four touchdowns on 20 carries as the Crusaders routed Owen County 45-14 on Friday, Oct. 2.
The win pushed St. Henry to 4-2 and extended its winning streak to four games. The Crusaders have already doubled their win total from a 2-9 inaugural season in 2025, according to LINK nky.
It was the second huge game of the season for Pate. In Week 3, he rushed for 239 yards and three touchdowns and added a receiving score in a 43-40 comeback win over Bishop Brossart on Friday, Sept. 4, according to LINK nky. In the 2025 season, Pate ran for 338 yards and four touchdowns. He has already blown past that total through six games as a junior.
The Crusaders' defense showed up against Owen County, too. Jude Lambert-Morith recorded three tackles, half a sack and a fumble recovery. Kingston Gripshover added three tackles and two tackles for loss.
Sophomore Owen Pate, Lucas's younger brother, contributed two tackles for loss and a sack.
Before the season, head coach Tim Odom told the NKY Tribune he expected better results in district play. "We feel pretty confident that we can improve on that this year in district play," Odom said in August, reflecting on the program's two district wins that earned a playoff berth in 2025. Four straight wins later, the Crusaders are delivering.
Next up: unbeaten Beechwood.
The Tigers visit St. Henry on Friday, Oct. 9, at 7 p.m. for a Class 2A, District 5 matchup. Beechwood is 6-0 and ranked No. 14 in the Greater Cincinnati area after beating Walton-Verona 63-7 in Week 7, according to WLWT.
Head coach Noel Rash returned to Beechwood after three seasons away. He has won 200 games and eight state championships with the program.
After Friday's rivalry game, St. Henry hosts Bracken County on Thursday, Oct. 15, at 7 p.m. and travels to Walton-Verona on Friday, Oct. 23, at 7:30 p.m. Wins in those two district games would clinch a home playoff game for the Crusaders.
