The Steinbach Regional Secondary School put on a fourth quarter charge that fell just short Friday in Winnipeg.

The Sabres dropped a 22-14 decision to the St. Paul’s Crusaders in their Winnipeg High School Football League 10th anniversary season opener.

The Crusaders enjoyed a 15-0 lead at halftime and extended their advantage to 22-0 in the third quarter.

Quarterback Sawyer Thiessen got the SRSS rally started with a one-yard touchdown plunge 3:19 into the fourth quarter.

The Sabres then recovered Rylan Penner’s onside kick.

Thiessen drove the offense down the field and the SRSS pivot scored his second major of the game on a 12-yard run with just under three minutes remaining.

St. Paul’s recovered Penner’s ensuing onside kick and the Crusaders offense held onto the ball the rest of the way and ran out the clock.

Thiessen completed 14-of-28 passes for 176 yards and took off with the ball 11 times for 43 yards.

Jayden Martens caught six passes for 113 yards.

Payton Falk led the defense six tackles and a quarterback sack.

Luke Mehling, Thomas Peters and Isaac Dokken chipped in with five tackles each.

The Sabres, who are competing in the WHSFL’s Potter Division for the third year in a row, will play their home opener Thursday, September 12th against the Murdoch Mackay Clansmen at A.D. Penner Park in Steinbach.