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By Michael Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
The state of Massachusetts is no stranger to sports dynasties, whether it’s the Patriots of recent years or Bill Russell’s Celtics. Another name that comes to mind when the word “dynasty” gets tossed around is Xaverian’s football program. Year after year after year, the Hawks see great success on the gridiron and there are no signs of that changing any time soon with the recent facility upgrades and additions added on to 800 Clapboardtree.
Every football game at Xaverian is a big one. Saturday’s no. 1 vs. no. 2 matchup against Everett to kick off the 2016 season, however, was definitely about as big as it gets for Bay State high school football. These two teams could very well meet up again in Foxboro in December, with the Hawks eying a third consecutive state title.
Stout defensive play propelled Xaverian past Everett 17-14 in Saturday’s tilt, extending their winning streak to 25 games. The Crimson Tide gave Xaverian all that the Hawks could handle, and a postseason matchup between the two perennial powerhouses is something that fans of both schools wouldn’t mind seeing.
The Hawks got off to an uncharacteristically slow start on Saturday, as Everett’s Anthony Norcia hauled in a 75-yard touchdown on the Crimson Tide’s opening drive on a busted coverage. Just like that, the Hawks were playing behind the eight ball.
It took Xaverian until the second quarter to get things rolling on offense as their first two drives were killed by penalties and failed third down conversions. Charlie Stevenson’s team went to their bread-and-butter to get their offense moving by playing some old school smash-mouth football, something we’ve become accustomed to seeing from Stevenson and his teams over the years.
Running back Devon Piccinin (nine carries, 65 yards) got the Hawks on the board with two rushing touchdowns on back-to-back drives in the second quarter to put Xaverian ahead 14-7 at the half.
In the second half, Xaverian was able to extend their lead to 17-7 thanks to a Brian Fallon field goal. However, the Hawks were not out of trouble yet.
On the ensuing kickoff following the Fallon field goal, Everett’s Jason Maitre returned the ball 99 yards for a touchdown, cutting the Xaverian lead to just 17-14.
Everett’s defense was able to prevent the Hawks from adding additional points on their next two drives, and the Crimson Tide were given one last shot to tie things up or take the lead in the game’s final moments.
However, Xaverian’s senior captain and linebacker, Colin Lama, had other plans. After Everett drove the ball deep into Xaverian territory, the Hawks were able to back Everett up to a third-and-long from the 15-yard line.
On that third down, Everett quarterback Jordan McAfee was pressured out of the pocket and then forced a ball up into coverage in an attempt to make a play. Lama intercepted the pass while falling to the ground to give the Hawks back the ball and put the game on ice.
Xaverian travels to face long-time foe Bridgewater-Raynham under the lights on Friday night, while Everett will host New Bedford.
