Veritas football players are honored at Bennett Field ahead of their Senior Night game on Saturday, Oct. 22, 2016.

It was not an ideal ending to a strong regular season for the Veritas Christian football team.

The team was dominated in all facets of the game, getting drubbed 50-0 by Saint Mary’s Academy on Senior Night. With the loss, the Eagles’ three-game win streak was snapped as they fell to 3-3.

“Well, it’s obviously not the picture perfect Senior Night,” senior running back Michael Rask said. “It’s a reality shock.”

But in some ways, Veritas got exactly what it needed to wrap up the regular season. Rather than ride a four-game streak into postseason, the team got a wake up call.

Now the team has a completely different mentality heading into the playoffs.

“That’s what we told our boys,” coach Brett Temple said. “I think this is the best thing that could have happened. We got punched in the face. It’s how you respond. Now before the playoffs, it’s a good wakeup call. The next time this happens, your season is over.”

The Eagles were without senior Matt Fred, who was sidelined with an injury he sustained last week. Fred scored five rushing touchdowns in the team’s previous home game just two weeks ago.

In his absence, Rask got the most work with 16 carries for 34 total yards.

As a team, Veritas ran for 42 yards on 24 attempts. No other player had more than six yards on the ground.

“We were a guy down tonight and that really hurts,” Rask said. “But I think we have grown together. We are one of the toughest teams I have ever seen.”

The Crusaders (6-0) jumped on them early, scoring 14 points in the first quarter alone. Junior quarterback Roy Clancy found Martin Isermann on a three-yard dump pass to take a quick lead.

Clancy finished with 182 yards and four scores through the air on 19 attempts.

However, Clancy was picked off twice, with sophomore Trey Huslig and Rask, each notching an interception.

But it would not be enough, as Saint Mary’s tacked on 30 points in the second quarter including a a 10-yard hookup between Clancy and junior Zachary Christensen as the clock expired.

The Crusaders took a 44-0 lead into the intermission.

After trading three-and-outs in the third quarter, Clancy hit senior Theodore Eubanks on a six-yard pass as the final dagger, to mercy-rule the Eagles before the fourth quarter.

“We learned a lot about some players,” Temple said. “That they didn’t quit. Every single one of them has their heads up high. They are ready to rock and roll and get back to practice.”

For Veritas, Huslig completed 4-of-15 passes for 52 yards. He targeted Rask five times and hit him once for 48 yards.

The Eagles were led defensively by seniors Hayden Pine and Dylan Deters, each player logged seven tackles. Rask finished with six tackles.

Still, even after the loss, the mind-set of the team has only grown stronger.

“This might be the best Senior Night leading up to the playoffs,” Rask said. “Things didn’t go how you wanted to. We have a whole week off to prepare. When you get punched in the face you have to get back up.”

Saint Mary’s 14 30 6 x — 50

Veritas 0 0 0 x — 0

SM — Martin Isermann 3 pass from Roy Clancy. Alexander Hohman run good.

SM — Anthony Riccomini 1 run. Pass failed.

SM — Theodore Eubanks 49 run. Hohman pass from Clancy good.

SM — Clancy 6 run. Clancy run good.

SM — Zachary Christensen 38 pass from Clancy. Hohman run good.

SM — Christensen 10 pass from Clancy. Kick blocked.

SM — Eubanks 6 pass from Clancy.