Xaverian rolls over Lawrence
LAWRENCE — Coach Al Fornaro wanted his Xaverian squad to physically drain Lawrence on both sides of the ball Saturday afternoon.
The Hawks did just that with a consistent rush attack and a strong defensive push in what turned into a 42-6 blowout win for No. 4 Xaverian over No. 13 Lawrence at Veterans Memorial Stadium.
“I think that we wore them down a bit,” said Fornaro. “(Lawrence) does not have a large squad of players. … We are OK up front offensively and I told the coaches I want to grind meat. I want to take control of the game and take away the will to win of the opponent.”
Xaverian (3-1) ran for 272 yards with five scores, including two for senior captain Joe Kelcourse. A 29yard run to make it 7-0 in the first and a six-yarder to put this one away at 29-6 early in the third.
The backbreaker for Lawrence (3-1) on defense came late in the second quarter as the Hawks got the ball at their 30 and 11 plays later senior Jake Gilbert found sophomore wideout Charlie Comella for a 16-yard score to make it 22-6 at the half.
“That’s a huge emotional swing,” Fornaro said about the late touchdown drive. “Any time you can do that … It’s a beautiful thing.”
The defense for Xaverian came up with the rest as the Hawks had short fields on their next four drives thanks to a 3-and-out, a forced fumble and two interceptions. Three of the four drives ended in a touchdown with a 26yard run for junior Godson Ofonagoro after the forced fumble for junior Cole Jette being the second score to make it 36-6 midway through the third.
Sophomore Jeffrey Prophete finished the scoring for Xaverian with a four-yard run in the fourth to cap a nine-play drive setup by a Comella interception.
The other score was a four-yard run for junior Michael Oates to make it 14-6 in the second quarter.
The only blemish for a team that allowed 28 rushing yards came through the air as the Lancers hit two huge passes in the first half, including a 74-yard strike down the sideline for junior Andy Medina from sophomore Jayden Abreu.