BUFFALO, N.Y. -- Canisius finished 2016 as the New York State Catholic League champions and from that squad the 2017 Crusaders had a solid group of returning players, including starting quarterback Jayce Johnson and stud receiver Paul Woods.

"Coming into the year we expected that to be one of the best receiver-quarterback combos in the state," said Canisius head coach Rich Robbins. "The experience they bring to the table, the leadership, all that stuff is great, but obviously their athleticism, their size, their speed makes them a really good combo."

Johnson and Woods haven't disappointed. Through 5 games the signal caller has accounted for 10 touchdowns and just one turnover while his top target, who missed a game with an ankle injury, is finding the endzone once per contest and most importantly, the Crusaders are 4-1 entering Friday, a perfect 3-0 in Monsignor Martin and ranked 6th in the state. So what makes this duo so special? Well, both were quick to praise the other.

"He is such a polished route runner," Johnson said. "Certain routes that not everybody can run at the speed that he runs them at it just makes it so much easier for me to throw it to him."

"It's a blessing. There aren't a lot of quarterbacks around this area or coming from Buffalo that can be able to throw the ball 60 yards, throw it on a dime," Woods said. "Just whenever we are down in a deep situation, I look to him to complete the ball."

Their size may be the ultimate advantage: Johnson stands 6'5" 200lbs, while Woods is 6'1' 165.

"As far as them being big guys I do think that that allows them to play up above a little bit," Robbins said. "Jayce can see Paul as he is running his routes, he has confidence in Paul that he will jump or adjust or make a play on the ball. Sometimes even when Paul is double-covered or not as open Jayce still has confidence in Paul to go make a play."

And the plays Woods has made have drawn the eye of Division-I recruiters. Earning a dozen scholarship offers before committing to Rutgers where Paul plans to shine as a Scarlet Knight.

"I think I can be one of the top guys around," Woods said. "I don't think I'll settle for just the state. Taking over New York then going into New Jersey and taking over from there."

As for Jayce, he's still working on finding where he'll play on the next level, but his wideout has faith the future is bright.

"Jayce has a great future ahead of him, I feel honestly that he was under-looked last season going into his senior year," Woods said. "I feel he can be one of the top guys where he's going."

The colleges are going to have to wait as Johnson, Woods, and the Crusaders have their eyes set on a 3rd Catholic league title in four years.