The Hawks flew into their off week on a high note on Friday night, defeating the Somerville Highlanders, 32-0, at Dilboy Stadium.
Alex Phelan made his debut as starter for Xaverian Brothers behind center in place of the injured Anthony Varrichione, throwing for two touchdowns and running for one while the Hawk defense recorded its fourth straight scoreless effort.
“It’s a lot faster [than J.V.],” said Phelan, who was 5-for-10 for 67 yards. “You really need to make your reads faster. I’m surrounded by a lot of weapons on this offense with a great line, and it’s my job to get them the ball. I just tried to come in and do my job.”
The Hawks earned their fourth straight victory to improve to 4-1 on the year (1-0 Catholic Conference) and now prepare to face Everett at the Hawk Bowl on Oct. 18.
“We’ve been focused on improving on a week-to-week basis,” said head coach Charlie Stevenson. “We still have to face three of the top teams in Eastern Mass. in Everett, [St. John’s] Prep, and B.C. High, and arguably the best team in Central Mass. in St. John’s Shrewsbury. This week we didn’t allow any big plays, which is an improvement for us.”
In their first game of a two-year contract, the Hawk defense gave little to the Somerville offense, surrendering three first downs all game and forcing five turnovers.
“We started 12 sophomores, so playing a team like Xaverian gives us some experience that can really help us in the future,” said Somerville head coach Harry Marchetti, whose team fell to 2-2 with the loss. “Our goal is to win the Greater Boston League title, so this only prepares us more.”
On his first drive at the helm of the Xaverian offense, Phelan navigated the Hawks into the end zone in nine plays. After completing his first pass to Matt Guay, Phelan took a 4-yard sweep to the right side seven plays later to give Xaverian a lead with 4:51 left in the first quarter.
A 49-yard Guay punt return in the second quarter set the Hawks up with a short field. Phelan took advantage by completing his first TD pass as a starter with a screen pass to the left to Guay. The senior running back bobbled the pass, got it under control, then ran over two Somerville defensive backs on his way into the end zone to put the Hawks up 13-0.
On the first play of the Highlanders’ ensuing drive, Franciosi intercepted a Michael Stanton pass and returned it 25 yards. At the half, Xaverian led, 20-0.
The Hawks started the second half with a 10-play drive lasting five minutes, but couldn’t get the ball through the red zone and swapped possessions with Somerville before starting on the Highlander 34-yard line near the end of the third quarter.
Phelan then looked to his captain receivers to punch the ball through the red zone, finding Sparky Crossen for a 33-yard reception down the middle of the field and C.J. Parsons on a 1-yard out at the goal line.
Tony Knight, who led all rushers in the game with 73 yards, added one more score for the Hawks in the fourth quarter with a 15-yard rush up the middle.
In the fourth quarter alone, Xaverian’s defense forced three interceptions from Somerville quarterbacks.
“I think it’s a combination of things,” said assistant coach Al Fornaro regarding his defense’s success. “All we ask is that they play hard, aggressive, team defense, because there’s really no superstar on this defense. Our backups did the same as well, because they know they’re a heartbeat away from playing.”
