No surprises for these rivals
CM won October meeting
St. John’s Prep and Catholic Memorial are back on familiar ground.
The Catholic Conference rivals will meet at Gillette Stadium Saturday night (8) for the Division 1 state title. The game is a rematch of last year’s final, won by St. John’s Prep, 40-22.
The two finalists met during the regular season back on Oct. 12 and the heavyweight battled lived up to the hype. Catholic Memorial went up to Danvers and knocked off the Eagles, 3432, on its way to winning the league title for the first time since 1987.
“That game was a little higher scoring than I thought it would be,” said Catholic Memorial coach John DiBiaso. “I don’t think it is going to be the same type of game this time around. The long-range forecast is that it’s going to be cold and the fact that this game is going to be 10-minute quarters will be a factor.”
Catholic Memorial (11-0) has been one of the more dominant offensive teams in the state this season. The Knights have scored at least 21 points in 10 of their 11 games as they’ve shown the ability to put points on the board in a variety of different ways.
Quarterback Barrett Pratt, who missed the first meeting with an injury, is back to run the show for the Knights. Shiloh White and Darrius LeClair are a pair of game-breaking running backs, while Daniel Lopes and Zachary Mitchell are the top receivers.
Center Zachary Goodwin is the anchor of the offensive line. Danny Sheehan and Toren Roberson are the tackles, while Quincy Plumer and Rory Conneely have plenty of experience at the guard positions.
“They are certainly the best team we’ve faced this year,” said St. John’s Prep coach Brian St. Pierre. “They’re talented and have athletes at every position and they are big upfront.”
St. John’s Prep (10-1) has also shown the ability to take what the opponent gives them. Matt Crowley is one of the top quarterbacks in the state, while James Guy is the featured back, and is rushed for 181 yards and three touchdowns in a 35-0 win over Xaverian on Thanksgiving.
Matt Duchemin has been outstanding in all three phases of the game, wide receiver, defensive back and return specialist. He electrified the crowd with a 90yard punt return for score against Xaverian.
Up front, St. John’s Prep is led by center Nick Barrett, guards Theo Hutt and Cooper Smith, tackles Peter Wiehe and Mason Davis as well as tight ends Anthony Fagan and Gus McGee.
The Eagles have been playing their best defense at the right time of the season, posting shutouts in three of their last five games. Smith is a force in the trenches along with Collin Taylor, Michael Fionda, Jack McDonald and Fagan. Tripp Clark, Nick Baldini and Jonathan Bunnell are the linebackers, while the secondary features Matthew Michell, Pat Nistl, Joenel Aguero and the aforementioned Duchemin.
“They’re well coached, fundamentally sound in all areas,” DiBiaso said. “Crowley is a very good quarterback, the backs are good, the line is solid. When you look at them, you don’t see any weaknesses.”