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Just when it looks like the Bishop Fenwick football team's season is in trouble, the Crusaders go out and shock everyone.
Quarterback Brett Kidik threw for a school record 389 yards and six touchdowns as the Brown and Gold won a wild one in Braintree, outlasting host Archbishop Williams, 44-40, in their Catholic Central League Large opener.
"It was unbelievable," Fenwick coach David Woods said of his team's offensive outburst. "We even ran a hook-and-ladder play for a touchdown. I'll tell you this; there weren't many short pass plays tonight."
Intent on shutting down Fenwick's primary receiving target, nationally-ranked pass catcher Ryan Lipka (6 catches, 61 yards, TD), Fenwick instead threw away from Lipka's side as his teammates benefitted greatly. Billy Klemczuk (7-70, TD), Jake Bugler (7-153, 2 TDs) and Tyler Thomann (3-99, 2 TDs) all had huge games catching passes from Kidik.
Lipka also converted three 2-point conversions, rushing one in and catching two others from Kidik.
Fenwick (3-4 overall) trailed 20-8 in the first half and 26-22 at intermission before coming out and scoring twice quickly in the third quarter to take the lead for good.
The 84 points between the two clubs make it tied for the ninth-highest scoring game in North Shore football history.
The Crusaders will return home to face another CCL foe, Cardinal Spellman, next Friday night (7 p.m.).
HAM-WENHAM 13, NO READING 12: Dylan Keith was a dual threat all night for the victorious Generals. He completed 8-of-16 passes for 124 yards at quarterback, throwing a 15-yard touchdown pass to Trevor Lyons to give his team an early 7-0 lead. He also caught two passes for 83 yards.
Elliot Burr's 1-yard touchdown run at the end of the third quarter proved to be the winning points for Hamilton-Wenham (4-2), which was playing for the first time in two weeks.
Host North Reading (0-7) scored with 40 seconds to go and went for the win on a 2-point conversion, but outside linebacker Jake Prince made a huge stop to seal the win.
"It was a real gut check win for us," said H-W head coach Andrew Morency, his team now 2-0 in Cape Ann League Small play. "We were flat early on and certainly didn't play our best game, but we fought — and survived."
Lyons also played some quarterback for the Generals, completing 2-of-4 passes (both to Keith) for 83 yards. Senior captain James Brao, who kicked an extra point on his team's first touchdown, also had another fine game at defensive end for the winners.
