DANVERS – The football gods must have decided irony was in order Saturday afternoon.
James Fahey, a St. John’s Prep junior who transferred into the school this season from Masconomet, turned in the biggest play of the day when his Eagles hosted his former team before a large crowd from both communities at Cronin Field.
Fahey picked off former teammate Chris Splinter’s screen pass on the game’s opening drive and raced 10 yards into the end zone, setting the tone for the day as St. John’s Prep knocked off the Chieftains, 36-19.
Both Masconomet head coach Jim Pugh and the Prep’s Jim O’Leary pointed to Fahey’s play as a difference maker.
“That turnover at the beginning was very big, especially against a team like the Prep,” said Pugh, whose team is the two-time defending Cape Ann League Large champions. “We have a lot of first-time players and made too many mistakes. Poor tackling really hurt us.
“But I am proud of our kids for the way they came back. “I know this game will help us down the road, but we came here looking for a ‘W’. I really think we can play with this type team.”
O’Leary, whose team debuted its new navy-and-white uniforms (similar to Penn State’s), was happy with the way his team came out early on.
“I’m pleased with the opening day win. Our defense set the tone, and Fahey had a nice game,” said O’Leary, whose team had worn royal blue and white uniforms since he first game to St. John’s in 1977. “That interception he made gave us an emotional lift right away.”
Masconomet was able to move the ball against St. John’s behind the passing of Splinter, who had two touchdown passes and ran for another score. He wound up with 202 yards passing, completing 16 of 31 attempts. But the Eagles’ defense was able to come up with some big stops, especially early in the game.
George Sessoms sacked Splinter for a 15-yard loss on third down to kill a Masco scoring chance on their second possession, and the ensuing punt went only six yards. The hosts took advantage, going 60 yards in nine plays before Brendon Felder scored the first of his three touchdowns on a 1-yard plunge to make it 14-0.
Masco got right back in the game, scoring on a 36-yard touchdown pass by Splinter to his favorite receiver, Kevin Anderson (9 catches for 132 yards) on the first play of the second quarter. But another turnover proved costly for the Chieftains and led to a Prep score in the final minute of the half. Splinter was hit in the backfield by McHugh, and the loose ball was recovered by junior Alex Durocher at the Eagles 41-yard line.
“It could have been a 14-14 game,” said Pugh. “The blitz and fumble McHugh caused was a very good play, but Prep has a lot of good football players.”
Six plays later, Felder burst into the end zone from a yard out to extend the lead to 22-7. The key play in the drive was a 30-yard pass from senior quarterback Greg Donahue to McHugh, who gained big yards up the sideline to the Masco 9.
“We can pound it or go to the option pass,” said Felder, who gained 75 yards on eight carries. “I just have to follow my blockers because we have a big line.”
“Masco can pitch and catch pretty well,” added O’Leary. “Give them credit for stepping up and coming here to play when a lot of others wouldn’t.”
Masco’s defense stopped Felder short of a first down at the 12-yard line, but put together a long drive to the Eagles 5-yard line that also ended in no points on the board. Felder caught a pass for a 20-yard touchdown with eight minutes remaining in the game to put the Eagles up, 29-7.
“Defensively we made a lot of plays,” said Pugh, “but not enough.”
Still, the Chieftains fought hard until time ran out. Splinter raced around right end for a 25-yard TD run before Coppola answered for St. John’s with a 14-yard touchdown romp. But the Chieftains kept passing until the end, and Splinter hit Evan Bunker in the corner of the end zone for a 29-yard touchdown strike as time expired.
“I was disappointed near the end when we hung our heads and the Prep went down and scored,” said Pugh. “That should not have happened. The Prep has a lot of good players, but we have to play hard the whole game.”
ST. JOHN’S PREP 36, MASCONOMET 19
At Cronin Stadium, Danvers
St. John’s Prep 14 8 0 14 — 36
Masconomet 0 7 0 12 — 19
P – James Fahey 10 interception return (Bobby Preston kick)
P – Brendon Felder 1 run (Preston kick)
M – Kevin Anderson 36 pass from Chris Splinter (Nick Salvo kick)
P – Felder 1 run (Fahey pass from Felder)
P – Felder 20 pass from Greg Donahue (Preston kick)
M – Splinter 25 run (kick failed)
P – Tyler Coppola 14 run (Preston kick)
M – Evan Bunker 29 pass from Splinter (final play of game)
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