Cardinal Gibbons’ defense recorded four interceptions — three of which were returned for touchdowns — as the Crusaders defeated Leesville Road in the second round of the flag football playoffs on Thursday night.

The Crusaders scored the first 19 points of the game en route to a 25-6 win over Leesville Road at Willow Spring High School.

Kelsey Knoblauch recorded the first touchdown of the game for Cardinal Gibbons. Knoblauch intercepted a Leesville Road pass and returned it for a score, helping the Crusaders to a 7-0 lead.

Kate Sheehan intercepted a Leesville Road pass later in the half, which resulted in another pick six. Cardinal Gibbons led the Pride 13-0 at halftime.

Sheehan recorded her second interception on the night on Leesville Road’s opening drive of the second half. The Pride engineered a good drive, but Sheehan picked off a pass in the end zone to prevent Leesville Road from scoring.

The Pride got an interception of its own on Cardinal Gibbons’ ensuing drive, but the Crusaders immediately returned the favor as Maddie Plonk picked off a Leesville Road pass and returned it for another Cardinal Gibbons touchdown. The third pick six of the game gave Cardinal Gibbons a 19-0 lead midway through the second half.

Leesville Road finally got on the board with 2:32 left in the game when Zoe Cashin found Corrie Moore for a three-yard touchdown. The Pride went for two points, but the try failed and Leesville Road trailed 19-6.

Cardinal Gibbons’ final touchdown came with 1:11 left in the game when Sophia Juhasz broke a long touchdown run. The score was the first offensive touchdown of the game for the Crusaders and it extended the lead to 25-6.

Cardinal Gibbons will advance to the third round of the playoffs on Dec. 4, where it will meet Middle Creek. The Mustangs upset previously unbeaten Willow Spring in the second round of the playoffs in a triple overtime thriller.

The location for the third and fourth round of the playoffs has not yet been determined.