Xaverian states its case

WESTWOOD — It was like hitting for the cycle, according to Xaverian coach Al Fornaro.

And the Hawks certainly knocked it out of the park yesterday by scoring in all three phases against New York power Archbishop Stepinac.

Xaverian racked up 358 yards of offense and also returned a fumble and a kickoff for touchdowns to run away from the Crusaders and reclaim state bragging rights with a 42-19 win.

XAVERIAN 42 ARCH. STEPINAC (N.Y.) 19

“After last year we knew we had to come out firing,” said Xaverian senior captain Cooper Deveau, referring to the Hawks’ loss at Stepinac last season. “We needed to make a statement and show what Massachusetts football and Xaverian football is all about.”

Deveau ignited Xaverian (21) by taking the third play from scrimmage 64 yards on a bubble screen for a touchdown.

Another big offensive play, a 74-yard scamper to the end zone by Mike Saliba (nine carries, 109 yards) had the Hawks rolling with a 21-0 halftime lead.

Xaverian’s defense held firm in the first half, forcing three Stepinac (1-2) turnovers on downs in Hawks territory and then came up with a 50-yard fumble return by Deveau for a 28-0 lead with 7:14 left in the third quarter.

But the Crusaders fought back with Joey Carino going to Shawn Harris (10 catches, 181 yards) on TD passes of 13 and 46 yards, respectively, at the end of the third quarter.

The Hawks answered in-between Harris’ TD catches with a 90-yard kickoff return by Connor Garland.

When Harris caught a 63-yard touchdown pass to get within 35-19 with 7:03 left, the Hawks remained poised and Luke Thorbahn put the finishing touches on the hosts’ strong all-around performance with a 41-yard touchdown run.

“I’m not sure if it’s too composed or they’re just too young to know any better,” Fornaro said. “Sometimes you do just want to go out and play the game like you’re playing it in the street. Play the next play. At the end of the game, we’ll be successful no matter what the score is if we play that way.”