Top-seeded Broncos, Cavaliers meet for Super Bowl
Burrillville defense to be tested today
BURRILLVILLE – Gennaro Ferraro has taken a Bill Belichick-like approach to Burrillville High’s Division III Super Bowl rematch with the Juanita Sanchez/PCD/Wheeler Co-op club inside Cranston Stadium at 3:30 p.m., Sunday.
That is, he’s on to Juanita, only the 2017 version.
The question revolved around his Broncos’ amazing, come-from-behind 7-6 victory on the same turf last Dec. 4. The Cavaliers had shut down Ferraro’s offense through most of the game before Burrillville staged a stunning final drive that resulted in senior quarterback Zach Lefebvre’s two-yard TD toss to then-junior Nick Deering with 12 seconds left in regulation.
Darren Jenks booted the extra point, but officials added to the drama, tossing an illegal procedure flag and pushing Burrillville back five yards.
Jenks, however, calmly repeated his performance to seal one of the most exciting title tilts in Interscholastic League history.
Ask Ferraro whether the confidence drawn from that result could help his team, he scoffed.
“I can’t remember the last time we won a Super Bowl; to me, that was 100 years ago,” he said. “That has no bearing at all on this game, not for me or any of our guys. There’s not one play from that game that will help us win this year’s game. This year provides a totally different challenge.
“I can only speak about what motivates us,” he added. “For us, it’s not about that (revenge). We just want to handle the challenge that’s before us, and we know it will be a challenge … We can only go to one Super Bowl in one year, and we’re very fortunate and blessed to have that opportunity. It’s all about relishing in and taking advantage of this opportunity.
“No other Super Bowl can help you win another. Geez, who knows if we’ll ever go to another one? All I can worry about is getting our group ready for Sunday, and I can promise my boys will be prepared and hungry to compete for a state championship.”
If you haven’t noticed already, Ferraro has been a bit tense as of late, not only spending late nights feverishly going through game films but also preparing his school plans for his science classes – and completing parent-teacher conferences.
Really, he has reason. JS/PCD/Wheeler, which like BHS will enter the contest at 11-1 overall, will present quite a battle to the Broncos, and he knows it. The Cavs’ potent offense revolves around elusive senior signal caller Elijah Matthews who can start and stop on a dime and jitterbug like a high school version of Cam Newton.
“He’s a really dynamic player, definitely one of the best in the state, regardless of division,” Ferraro sighed. “He commands a defense’s complete attention. He can break a game open on just a couple of plays.
“But he’s not the only one who can bring it,” he continued, noting senior backfield mates Odarlin Garo and Juan Hernandez. “They’re both big, physical runners, and (senior pass catcher) Dennis Gastel is a fantastic receiver who’s tough to bring down, and he can kick, too. (He actually nailed two field goals in last fall’s Bowl).
“He and Elijah are on the same wavelength in the the passing game, so we’re going to have to play great team defense. We have to tackle; we sure can’t miss any. We have to change some looks and try to make No. 7 as uncomfortable as possible, which obviously is very difficult to do.
“On defense, (senior linebacker Antonio Estrada brings heat on every play; he’s always in on tackles. You know, they’re just a great team. I could name their whole roster, they have so much talent. They’re just plain good and extremely well-coached.
“I think they’re a better team than last year – their guys are a year older and smarter; onbiously, they’re better football players. The standard they set last season is higher now, and Coach (Steve) Nadeau has them prepared to play at a higher level”
Ferraro is hoping his spread offense - - led by junior quarterback Jake Gelinas, senior tailback Christian Bouvier and twin senior ends Nick and Brandon Deering, not to mention junior Ryan Lockwood – can confuse a solid defense.
“Offensively, we’re going to have to protect against their blitz, as they like to bring it,” he stated. “We have to minimize penalties and turnovers, keep the sticks moving. Our goal is to keep the offense off the field and keep ours on it.
“The passing game is always a big part of our repertoire, so we’ll see what we can be successful with and go from there … It should be a great battle between two very good teams. It’s that simple.”