ST. JOHN’S PREP
Eagles blank powerful Springfield Central
FOXBORO >> Against the odds, St. John’s Prep left little doubt about its standing in Division 1.
Carson Browne rushed for 131 yards and a touchdown while the Eagles stalwart defense turned in its finest performance of the season as No. 7 St. John’s Prep shut out Springfield Central, 13-0, to capture the Division 1 Super Bowl on Saturday at Gillette Stadium.
The win represents the sixth Super Bowl victory in school history for St. John’s Prep and its third Division 1 crown since 2018.
“The maturation and the growth of our team throughout the season was unbelievable,” St. John’s Prep coach Brian St. Pierre said. “It means a lot to our guys. No one gave us a chance. We read what everyone said. We like it that way.”
It’s the first time
Springfield Central (11-1) has been shut out versus a Massachusetts team
since 2016 against Longmeadow.
The Eagles’ defense
was largely spearheaded by its secondary. Along with University of Georgia signee Joenel Aguero and Rutgers-bound Jesse Ofurie, Lucas Verrier also caused havoc.
In all, the Prep limited Springfield’s offense, quarterbacked by Nebraska commit William Watson, to just 49 passing yards.
“We know we have the best defense in the state and we were trying to prove that,” Ofurie said. “They’re an explosive offense
so we had to lock in. We had a chip on our shoulder to get this done.”
St. John’s Prep struck first with just over five minutes remaining in the first half when Aidan Driscoll, in the game due to an injury to Deacon Robillard, connected with Aguero on fourth down for a 10-yard score.
The Eagles used their ground game in the second half to ice the game. Late in the third quarter, Browne gave the Eagles
all the insurance they needed as he scored from two yards out to cap off a 12-play drive and give St. John’s Prep a 13-0 lead.
The St. John’s Prep defense shined in the first half, as the Eagles held Watson without a passing yard while recovering a pair of fumbles.
St. John’s Prep 13, Springfield Central 0