WESTWOOD — If the sequel is wherever close to pretty much as good as the unique, Wednesday’s D1 state title recreation between Xaverian and St. John’s Prep can be one other blockbuster.
On Thursday morning, Xaverian kicker Luke Bell booted a discipline aim as time ran out to provide his workforce a 23-21 victory over Thanksgiving rival St. John’s Prep.
With the victory, Xaverian improves to 10-2 general and earns a share of the Catholic Conference title. The Prep suffers its first lack of the season and stands at 11-1.
“It’s fantastic,” Xaverian coach Al Fornaro stated of getting to play the Prep twice. “I was talking to (St. John’s Prep assistant) coach (Mike) Barbati, who has been at St. John’s for a number of years. We were reminiscing about having to play at Boston College one year, where Zack Asack was our quarterback, and Nick Borseti was their linebacker. We played here (one year), we had the snow plows come out. We played one year where we lost Kenny Kern and Noah Sorrento for the Super Bowl where we lost to Central Catholic. Next man up, baby. Hunter Molway, our starting fullback and middle linebacker, was home with the flu right now. We played a junior. That’s why we practice. We don’t just practice 11 guys. We go out to practice every day, and be ready to go when needed.”
Thursday’s recreation featured excessive drama all through. The Prep led, 21-20, within the fourth quarter, however Xaverian drove to the Eagles crimson zone and appeared poised for the successful rating. Prep defensive again Grayson Ambrosh then picked off a Henry Hasselbeck move ultimately zone, and it seemed just like the Eagles would possibly escape.
The Xaverian protection, although, compelled a punt, and the Hawks took over on the Prep 43 with 1:32 to go. Hasselbeck hit Christian McIntyre for a giant fourth-down conversion, after which Hasselbeck (82 yards and a TD speeding, 90 yards passing) gained 15 yards on a scramble, on the finish of which, he broke his nostril on a success. Mike O’Connor (194 yards and two touchdowns speeding on 18 makes an attempt) added a 5-yard run to set Bell up.
Bell then calmly booted a 30-yard discipline aim to provide the Hawks the 23-21 win.
“I did (figure I would get my shot),” Bell stated. “I knew they’d get me in range, and they did a great job. Henry got a little bloody, but I was just ready to go.”
Was he nervous?
“No,” Bell stated. “Once I’m back there, I don’t really hear anything, just wait for the ball to get snapped, and kick it.”
Fornaro was upset that no penalty was known as on the finish of the Hasselbeck run.
“He got a broken nose,” Fornaro stated. “I want to know how you get a broken nose and there’s no flag. That’s a mystery. It doesn’t come out of the ethos. Henry’s a tough kid. He’s a phenomenal athlete. He is the X-factor.”
The recreation began like it will be a shootout. O’Connor had a 38-yard run that arrange his 6-yard landing on the sport’s first drive.
Prep answered on its first drive, as Deacon Robillard ran in a 9-yarder to provide the Eagles a 7-6 lead with 3:41 left within the quarter.
But O’Connor struck once more, this time from 72 yards out, and the Hawks held a 14-7 lead following Caleb Brown’s conversion reception from Hasselbeck.
It stayed that manner till halftime, however Prep got here out firing within the third quarter. Robillard ran in a 15-yard landing to tie the rating.
After a cease on the subsequent Xaverian drive, Robillard hit Gavin Gold for a 17-yard landing, and the Hawks took a 21-14 lead.
But as was the case all day, Xaverian had a solution. On the final play of the third quarter, Hasselbeck weaved his manner by way of the Hawks sideline, and raced for a 52-yard landing. For the second time within the recreation, although, Joseph MacDonald’s PAT was blocked, and it stayed 21-20, Prep, till the ultimate moments. Fornaro stated Bell’s potential to get his kick vertical was an element within the determination to go for the sector aim.
Robillard had 41 yards passing, whereas Gael Garcia had 57 yards speeding, and Jeff Quigley had 78 yards speeding for the Prep.
Source: www.bostonherald.com