With one football launched off his foot 30 yards through the uprights, Justin Provencher's name was etched into Peabody High football history.
It was a Sunday night in Arlington in 2008, and the Tanners were desperately trying to shake off having lost 21 of their last 23 games. They fell behind the Spy Ponders, 21-20, in the fourth quarter and it appeared the heartache would continue. Provencher was there to save the day, though, booting the game-winning field goal to give Scott Wlasuk his first win as a head coach.
"That has to be the most memorable moment of my career," Provencher reflected. "That was coach Scott's first win — and it wasn't a short kick."
Better than 20 months later, Provencher emerged as one of the top linebackers on the North Shore. He's honored to be participating in the 49th annual Agganis Football Classic tomorrow night at Manning Field in Lynn (7 p.m.).
"I remember, when I was younger, hearing about (2006 PHS alum) Andrew Fodera's huge game in the Agganis Game and hoping that would be me someday," Provencher said. "I saw the guys who played in it last year and wanted to do it ... it feels great to be selected."
Though he made his name, initially, as a kicker, Provencher got his first start at linebacker on Thanksgiving as a sophomore and never let the job go. He emerged as an elite 'backer in 2009, roaming from sideline to sideline to make the vast majority of the Tanners' tackles and earning Northeastern Conference all-star honors.
"He's got all the physical attributes for the position, but the biggest thing is his intelligence on the field," said Wlasuk. "Sometimes if I was late getting a defensive signal in, he'd give me a signal and it would be exactly the play I was thinking. It got to the point where it was like having a coach on the field."
He showcased his kicking skills in Peabody's most exciting win of 2009, an OT thriller against Winthrop. After a fumble recovery, Provencher booted the game-tying field goal late in the fourth.
"Less than two minutes to go and he went out there and blasted it. He proved he can kick in pressure situations," said Wlasuk.
"That was the big game for everybody," Provencher remembered. "We forced a couple of fumbles and Brady Doyle had a huge run for us. We got down early but just kept coming and coming. Looking back, that was the high point of our season."
A true leader
Before every game, Peabody's captains and coaches get together and designate a fourth captain. It's an honor meant to recognize the senior that's worked the hardest and set the best example during the week.
That they chose Provencher no fewer than five times last year tells you everything you need to know about him as a leader.
"By the end of the season, he was probably our best leader overall. That's not to knock our captains, but that's how much Justin proved himself on and off the field," Wlasuk said. "He's well respected in the school by everyone — not just the athletes — and he's a perfect gentleman. He epitomizes what the student-athlete is today."
For his part, Provencher was just trying to lead by example and make sure the Peabody program got back on the right track. He was usually the first player at Wlasuk's mandatory study halls and was never shy about helping an underclassman on the field or off.
"If I had one piece of advice for the guys coming back, I'd say just come together as a team, don't be individuals," Provencher said. "Everybody needs to want it and have the same mentality.
"I think they will. One of my best friends is Mike Garrity; he was my partner at linebacker and I think he'll have a huge year."
As for Wlasuk, he paid Provencher the highest compliment possible not just as a football coach, but as a dad.
"My own son Sean was a sophomore last year and if I asked him who's the one player on our team to use as a role model, it'd be Justin," Wlasuk said.
He'll be a Warrior
It wasn't until after his senior season that Provencher realized he could play football at the next level. Not just kick — but play on defense, too.
"It meant a lot to be to be known as more than a kicker," said Provencher, who is working part-time as a lifeguard this summer.
The desire to play defense in college led him to Merrimack, where he'll join Warriors in the fall.
"It's a great fit because it's close by, it's a very good business school and it really felt like they wanted me," said Provencher, who plans to major in accounting. "On my visit the coach was really getting me pumped up. I was ready to put the pads on right there."
Provencher is joining a program on the rise as the Warriors went 7-3 last year and won the Northeast-10. He may kick and punt as needed, and he'll be joining a number of NEC products including Tony Johnson of Lynn Classical, Jesse Fowler of Lynn English and Zach Gilbert of Salem. There are even more Agganis alums at Merrimack, including former Newburyport QB Joe Clancy.
"He's going to have a great career for himself there," said Wlasuk. "He loved the school and if he kicks, he has the ability to make an immediate impact. He definitely has the athletic ability to make the adjustment to the next level on defense, too."
One more time as a Tanner
Provencher will take the field with Tanner horns on his helmet for the last time tomorrow night in the Agganis Classic and is excited about it. The Peabody contingent — and most of the NEC — will play for the South team, and it's been fun getting to know the players he's called rivals the last few years.
"It's different learning what everybody's all about from this side," said Provencher. "The toughest guy I had to tackle during the season was probably Trea Weathers from Revere, but Matt Barbuzzi from Swampscott was hard to bring down, too."
During his career, Provencher nailed 21 PATs and four field goals. He didn't kick as much as a senior because he had an ailing ankle.
"We didn't get to showcase him as much as we wanted to, but he never complained. He showed up everyday, no matter how banged up he was he was always doing the right things," said Wlasuk.
Provencher is working out at Pat Downey's Gridiron Training this summer to get ready for Merrimack. For now he's looking forward to taking the field as a Tanner one more time.
"The season would've been a little more memorable if we'd gotten a few more wins," he said. "But now I'm just looking forward to going out the right way and getting it done next year."
NORTH SQUAD
No.PlayerHigh School
1Daniel MartinezChelsea
5Justin FloresWoburn
7Michael CainNortheast Reg.
8Vincent CortinaBelmont
9Paul NowellWinchester
10Shakarus SemexantMalden
11Herbans AntenorMalden
12Brett FrongilloGroton School
14David St. PierreNorth Shore Tech
16Jean BourdeauEverett
21Brendan O'NeilTriton
22John AntonopoulosCambridge
24Evan BunkerMasconomet
25Nathaniel BockoIpswich
26Michael UvaSt. John's Prep
29Alex OkerekeBC High
30Christian O'LearyNortheast Reg.
31George HennesseyLynnfield
33James RielIpswich
34Brian CicconeManchester-Essex
35Joey GineptaNortheast Reg.
36Ben KekeisenManchester-Essex
41Cory GaffMalden Catholic
44David CortezChelsea
46Sherwood JonathasEverett
49Chris EspositoGeorgetown
50George AlexandrouMasconomet
51John MoriartyWilmington
52Christopher CadiganBC High
53James CollinsReading
55Michael ThomasEverett
58Jonathan DoucotMalden Catholic
60Zach EddyPentucket
61Edward LandaNortheast Reg.
63Jainyme DaSilveiraEverett
65Adam OuelletTriton
67Mark HeffordSt. John's Prep
70Matt LaRovereSt. John's Prep
71Shea Crisham QuillNewburyport
73Cameron SpoffordPentucket
74Dan BourqueReading
75Joe AngeloWoburn
81Chris GrassiLynnfield
82David ThomannWinchester
84Marcus Allen PapasBelmont
90Chris CazeauWilmington
91Garrett CunninghamBelmont
95Emmanuel RigginsB.C. High
99Patrick FoleyAmesbury
Head CoachDon HeresNortheast Regional
SOUTH SQUAD
No.PlayerHigh School
1Casey JohnsonLynn Classical
2Justin MarrsBeverly
3Nicholas ElwellLawrence
5Skubie MagezaRevere
7Justin NascimentoPope John
8Randall KelleherSwampscott
9Andrew OuelletteCentral Catholic
11Hayes RichardsonMarblehead
12Matt BarbuzziSwampscott
20Nick Dell'AnnoAustin Prep
21David HicksSt. Mary's
22Mark D'AddarioPeabody
24Frank AmbrosinoWinthrop
26William MilanoWinthrop
27Matt McDermottSt. Mary's
28Mark HannableBeverly
30Marcell HardmonMarblehead
33Steven HennesseyDanvers
35Ryan MurphyLynn Tech
37Eric BurgosDanvers
39Justin ProvencherPeabody
40Jonathan RichardAustin Prep
41Kyle ShonioSwampscott
42Matthew MulcahyAustin Prep
44Chevere ArcherLynn Classical
45Sam HillLynn English
47Taron SeaforthLynn English
50Jarred DwyerLynn English
51Theritch RocBeverly
53Patrick O'LearyMethuen
55Nick KozlowskiBeverly
60Blake FormanMarblehead
65Patrick RooneyCentral Catholic
67Joshua BasemanLynn English
69C.J. HudsonSt. Mary's
70Max MillefoglieGloucester
71Kyle EdwardsMarblehead
75Andrew WhiteSaugus
76William KuschLynn Classical
77Jeffrey EgittoPeabody
80Francis NovaLawrence
82Chris RenzulliBishop Fenwick
83Tim RaySt. Mary's
84Robert DeebWinthrop
89Chris AdreaniRevere
90Patrick LyonsBishop Fenwick
99Ricky BigwoodLynn Classical
Head CoachJim RudloffMarblehead
AssistantsDan Bauer, Mike Giardi, Ben Goodhue, Art Irzyk, Mike Lavender, Kyle Swenson
