Local
Catholic high school football season round-up
By Compiled Patrick E. O'ConnorPilot Corresponde
Posted: 12/13/2013
The Fenwick Crusaders celebrate their Division 5 super bowl win over Northbridge Dec. 7 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro. Pilot photo/courtesy David Le
Before two local Catholic schools clinched titles to close the 2013 football season, rivals faced off to resolve their Thanksgiving games.
Central Catholic battled Xaverian to take the Division 1 title, 34-17, in a Dec. 7 tilt at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.
Bishop Fenwick took the Division 5 title with a decisive 28-0 win over Northbridge, Dec. 7, also at the home of the New England Patriots.
The Thanksgiving matchups were:
Austin Prep vs. Lowell Catholic
Playing in Lowell on Thanksgiving Eve, the Austin Prep Cougars had a great game, beating Lowell Catholic, 46-6. One senior having a great time in the rain was Nick Mulcahy, scoring four touchdowns before the half and one more in the fourth. The win was special for AP Coach Bill Maradei (21st season) as it was his 250th career win. Previously, he won his 200th win on Thanksgiving Day in 2005. Austin Prep ends at 8-3. Lowell Catholic, led by Rick Sampson (3rd season) ends at 5-6.
St. Mary vs. Lynn Tech
These two neighboring rivals clashed on Thanksgiving Eve in Lynn and the St. Mary Spartans triumphed with a 52-8 win over Lynn Tech. Scoring two touchdowns apiece were Connor Sakowich and Jordan Manthorne. St. Mary's, led by Matt Durgin (6th season) ends at 7-4. Lynn Tech ends at 4-6.
Xaverian (Westwood) vs. St. John Prep (Danvers)
These two competitive rivals clashed on Thanksgiving morning in Danvers and the visiting Hawks from Westwood departed with a hard fought 28-22 win over Prep. The Eagles led 16-13 at the half and 22-20 in the fourth. With time winding down, Xaverian quarterback Jake Farrell sealed the win with a 22 yard touchdown pass with 28 seconds left to play. The win awarded Xaverian the Catholic Conference Title. St. John's, led by Jim O'Leary (30th season) had a good season, winning 6 and losing 5. Xaverian ended a great season at Gillette on Saturday, December 7, losing the Division 1 superbowl to Central Catholic, 34-17, and with Charlie Stevenson at the helm (21st season), ends at 10-2.
Central Catholic vs. Andover
Playing at home in Lawrence on Thanksgiving morning, the Central Catholic Raiders had a great game, defeating Andover 44-18. This season was unusual in the rivalry as the two schools previously played on September 27th and Central won 26-7. The Andover Golden Warriors end the season at 6-5. With only one loss in the season, Central headed for the Division 1 superbowl on Saturday, December 7 at Gillettte and defeated Xaverian 34-17. Led by Chuck Adamopolous, Central Catholic ends at an outstanding 11-1.
Malden Catholic vs. Waltham
Playing at home in the rain on Thanksgiving Eve, Malden Catholic lost to Waltham, 37-6. Led by Jeff Smith (3rd season), MC ends at 0-11.
Boston College High vs. Catholic Memorial
Playing for the 52nd time, these two fine schools clashed at O'Connor Stadium on the campus of CM and the visiting Eagles from Dorchester celebrated a 27-20 win over Catholic Memorial. The Knights led 20-13 at the half but failed to score thereafter. A stellar performance from senior Ismail Asongwed in the third and fourth sealed the win for BC high, their 9th in-a-row on Thanksgiving Day. BC High, led by Joe Gaff (2nd season) ends at 5-5. CM, led by Alex Campea (10th season) ends at 5-6.
Bishop Fenwick vs. Pingree
Beginning a new rivalry, the Fenwick Crusaders took on Pingree (a prep school in South Hamilton) at home in Peabody on Thanksgiving morning and won the game 36-27. Trailing 20-16 at the half, Fenwick wished to keep their undefeated season intact and got the job done with a touchdown from quarterback Nick Bona and two from Robert Carrillo. The Pingree Highlanders, led by Chris Powers (8th season) end at 6-3. Fenwick ended their spectacular season at Gillette Stadium on Saturday, December 7 and defeated Northbridge, 28-0 for the Div. 5 superbowl. Led by Dave Woods (16th season), Fenwick ends at 13-0.
Cathedral vs. Marion
The Cathedral High Panthers travelled over to Framingham to clash with their rival for the fifth time and celebrated a decisive 40-6 win over Marion. One Panthers having a great game was senior Bryan Cedeno, scoring four touchdowns. Cathedral, led by Duane Sigsbury (3rd season) ends at 8-3. The Marion Mustangs, led by Gene Robinson (4th season) end at 3-8.
Cardinal Spellman vs. Archbishop Williams
Playing in Braintree, Spellman capped a great season, defeating Archbishop Williams by a score of 32-12. Two Cardinals having a great day were Matt Anastasi and MVP of the game, Rory Donovan. Both scored two touchdowns. The win was the fourth consecutive in the Gravy Bowl rivalry for Spellman.
Spellman, led by Ron St. George (6th season) ends at 9-2. Archbishop Williams, led by Bill Kinsherf, ends at 4-7.
Arlington Catholic vs. Arlington
Playing at home, the Arlington Catholic Cougars lost to their cross-town rival, Arlington High, 40-0. Led by Serge Clivio (23rd season), Arlington Catholic ends at 2-9. Arlington High had a great season, ending at 9-2.
Matignon vs. Chelsea
Playing at Dilboy Stadium in Somerville for the third time in the rivalry, the Chelsea Red Devils had a great Thanksgiving Day winning the game 21-0. Matignon, led by Anthony Nalen in his first season, ends at 2-9. Chelsea ends at 6-5.
St. Clement vs. St. Joseph Prep
Playing on the campus of Tufts in Medford for the first time, the St. Clement Anchormen won the game 43-16. Senior quarterback Mike Sullivan was on a roll, throwing for three touchdowns and running for a fourth. Led by Colin Walsh (11th season), St. Clement had a great season, capturing the Catholic Central/Small title and ending at 9-2. St. Joseph Prep, led by Clarzell Pearl in his first season, ends at 2-8.
