By Jean DePlacido
On paper, undefeated Xaverian High School is a big favorite to win its Thanksgiving Day football game with St. John's Prep at Cronin Stadium in Danvers (10:15 a.m.). By doing so, the Hawks would win the league title and earn a rematch with Brockton in the Division 1 state semifinal playoffs.
The visiting Hawks are 10-0 coming into the game and a perfect 3-0 in Catholic Conference play. league play, while the Prep is a disappointing 4-5 overall but 2-1 in league games. An upset victory by the hosts would put them in the playoffs against a Boxers' team that beat them by a field goal, 17-14 earlier this season.
"I expect a really close game, "said Xaverian head coach Charlie Stevenson. "The way I look at it, if the Prep beats us they're going to the playoffs because of the convoluted system (for determing a champion in case of a tie) we have in our conference. We tell our kids this is a winner-take-all game, and quite honestly records don't mean very much in our rivalry - home field has been a huge advantage. We expect this to be the hardest game we've played all year."
Against conference opponents, the results have been very close for both teams. Xaverian hung on for a two-point win over Catholic Memorial last time out — a team St. John's Prep had beaten earlier, 29-22. The Hawks also defeated B.C. High, 14-6, which then turned around and beat St. John's Prep on the road, 36-34. Both clubs also beat Malden Catholic.
"Xaverian is on a roll and they'll be excited about the chance to go undefeated," said Prep coach Jim O'Leary. "Because there are (playoff) implications there will only be 10-minute quarters, and that makes for a whole different game.
"As devastating as that loss (to B.C. High) was, it doesn't dash our hopes because B.C. High can't go no matter what they do on Thanksgiving (against Catholic Memorial). If we find a way to beat Xaverian we should go on, depending on how well our non-league rivals do. Common opponents don't count. If we win it will depend on how Central Catholic, Peabody, and St. John's of Shrewsbury do (on Thanksgiving)."
The key, said O'Leary, will be turnovers. His team has fumbled the ball against good teams this season and it has cost them. It's something they can't afford to do against the Hawks.
"This rivalry is so emotional that it will either be close or really lopsided," O'Leary said. "Our kids will be ready — if you can't get excited about playing the No. 1 team in the state, I don't know what will motivate you."
Hawks quarterback Alex Phelan (son of former Boston College receiver Gerard Phelan) has thrown a dozen touchdown passes, and running back Joe Colton has 16 touchdowns. Junior Chris Tamasi is also used in the backfield along with fullback Matt Tuleja. O'Leary also claims Xaverian's defense is the best in the state.
"We plan to run the ball and mix some play action passes in. There's a lot to defend with Georgie (Sessoms, who has 14 touchdowns and for 1,059 rushing yards for St. John's), Tyler Coppola on the edge and (QB) Chris Coady ways being a threat to run the ball.
The Eagles are a little banged up and will be without senior fullback Mike Dantona and backup quarterback Tom Gaudet, who are both injured. Defensive back Austin Pierce underwent knee surgery last week, so St. John's will rely on some of the younger guys to fill in with freshman Austin Woolman starting at linebacker.
STARTING LINEUPS
XAVERIAN OFFENSE
No.NamePos.Grade
4Calvin CuffMLBSr.
71Kevin PaintenLTSo.
50Harry KingLGJr.
64Jack DustinRGSr.
68Cam ColwellRTSr.
27Mike HyattTESr.
7Alex PhalenQBSr.
27 Joe ColtonTBJr.
28Chris TamasiRBJr.
24Steve WarrenWOSr.
35Matt TulejaFBSr.
ST. JOHN'S PREP DEFENSE
No.NamePos.Grade
81Ryan DelisleDEJr.
70Mark HeffordDTSr.
77Andrew DieselmanDTSr.
67Alex DurocherDESr.
54Austin WoolmanLBFr.
4Mike ConnorLBSr.
27George SessomsLBSr.
23Tyler CoppolaCBJr.
21Mike UvaCBSr.
11Chris CoadySSJr.
18Kevin DavisFSSr.
ST. JOHN'S PREP OFFENSE
No.NamePos.Grade
18Kevin DavisSESr.
60Nate CyrLTJr.
50Dan CulkeenLGJr.
56Matt LaRovereCSr.
77Andrew DieselmanRGSr.
72James FergusonRTJr.
80James FaheyWRSr.
11Chris CoadyQBJr.
23Tyler CoppolaWBJr.
27George SessomsTBSr.
31Chris RyanFBJr.
XAVERIAN DEFENSE
No.NamePos.Grade
53Kevin IhlefeldDEJr.
68Cam ColwellDTSr.
64Jack DustinDTSr.
6Nick HowardDESr.
4Calvin CuffMLBSr.
28Chris TamasiOLBJr.
27Mike HyattOLBSr.
24Steve WarrenCBSr.
2Nick McDanielsCBJr.
19Rob CavanaughSJr.
9Mike MuirSJr.
