(VIDEO) Lama and Ryan Lead Xaverian to Opening Win
by Tom Joyce, with video from Chad Hunte
WESTWOOD -- With two minutes remaining in the game, Everett had an opportunity, as they drove the ball in to Xaverian territory, threatening to score. The Xaverian defensive line would answer the call, however, as they pressured Everett quarterback Jordan McAfee '17, and forced an interception, as Xaverian linebacker Colin Lama '17 sealed the 17-14 win for the Hawks. The win was the 25th straight home opening victory for Xaverian.
“We were really hyped up for this game,” Hawks senior captain and Pre-Season Super Team linebacker AJ Ryan '17 said. “We know every year they will come to play. In practice, we stepped it up. We knew how fast they would come at us. We could have executed a little better, but in the fourth quarter, we showed up and that just shows the kind of team we are going to be this year. It is going to be hard for teams to beat us.”
5 Stars Who Shined
Xaverian
Colin Lama ‘17 LB/RB - Xaverian - Lama’s interception late in the game crushed Everett’s hopes of a comeback.
“We were ready for that,” Lama said of McAfee’s pass. “We knew most of the routes they were going to run from practice. I just got in my spot, where they wanted me to be. It was right there, so I just let it hit my chest and just went down with it.”
Like the rest of his team, Lama played a key role in stunting Everett’s ground game. He also added a pivotal fumble recovery earlier in the contest.
AJ Ryan ‘17) TE/LB/P - Xaverian - Ryan was everywhere on Saturday, helping lead his team in all facets of the game. His punting game was critical to winning the battle of field position on Saturday, as he placed two beautiful punts at the Everett one and six-yard line.
On defense, Ryan helped stunt Everett’s ground game and offense, he served as a lead blocker for running back Devon Piccinin '17 helping to lead teh ground game.
“Coach was telling me to go to the field side,” Ryan said of his punts. “I was just trying to do that. I’m not the greatest punter. The accuracy isn’t there yet, but I think I got lucky today.”
Matthew Droullard ‘18 DB/RB -- Xaverian - Everett's passing game was limited in part to Droullard’s performance in coverage. In addition to his work in the defensive backfield, he sacked McAfee for a big 15-yard loss.
Everett
Duval Paul ‘17 DL/OL - Everett -- No one on either side made as many big plays as Paul. The Mass Prep Stars featured pre-season Super Team first teamer had five tackles for losses and often made his way into the backfield, pressuring Xaverian’s quarterback, Mattison Cronin all afternoon.
Jason Maitre ‘18 KR -- Everett - Xaverian struggled to match Maitre’s speed on kick returns. After his team fell behind, 17-7, Maitre answered by taking a 99-yard touchdown to the house on the next ball kicked to him.
Other top performers
Devon Piccinin ‘17 - RB/DB - Xaverian - (Two rushing touchdowns)
Cal Flanders '17 Xaverian DL/TE - Xaverian
Samuel Laurent '17 - WR/DB - Xaverian
Anthony Norcia '18 - WR Everett - (One touchdown reception, 75 yards)
Gerell Boyce '17 - OL/DL - Everett
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