Who would known when we watched Matt Crowley, Matt Duchemin and the rest of the St. John’s Prep team hold off Catholic Memorial for its second straight Division 1 Super Bowl that we would have waited 461 days to witness another snap.
The pandemic threw the MIAA football world into a scramble. There were days when many coaches openly wondered whether there would be a 2020 season at all. Some resigned themselves to the fact that they weren’t getting back out there until double sessions in August, if they were lucky.
Obstacles were climbed and hurdles were leaped, but football is back. The opening weekend slate features 55 games, many involving the premier teams in the state.
There is no question all eyes will be on the Catholic Conference as four of the top six teams in the preseason Sweet 16 rankings hail from the league. No. 3 BC High hops right into the fire as they travel to fourth-ranked Xaverian tonight for the season opener.
No. 1 Catholic Memorial will wait 24 hours before it gets its season started with a road trip to St. John’s (Shrewsbury). Sixth-ranked St. John’s Prep wasn’t sure it was going to play this weekend as its scheduled game with Malden Catholic was called off. Fortunately, St. Mary’s (Lynn) found itself in a similar predicament and the two schools were able to put together a game.
Note: In staying consistent with the rankings we’ve done this year for other sports, due to the limited schedule and constant interruptions due to COVID-19, this will be the only set of rankings we will do this season.
SWEET 16
1. Catholic Memorial (11-1): The two-time Div. 1 finalists were pointing to this as the year they finally got over the hump. The Knights will have to settle for being the best over a seven-game schedule. Quarterback J.C. Petrongolo, who excelled when called upon due to an injury to Barrett Pratt, gets his chance to run the show on a full-time basis. Running back Datrell Jones (Boston College verbal commit), tight end Quincy Eutsay and wide receivers Zach Mitchell and Jaeden Skeets (Boston College verbal commit) are the top returning skill position players. Bentley-bound Quincy Plumer keys the offensive line, while BC-bound Owen McGowan and future BC Eagle Boubacar Traore are the top linebackers.
2. Central Catholic (9-2): Raiders were perfect against every team not named St. John’s Prep last year. Many of those players are back, led by quarterback Ayden Pereira and defensive end Jermaine Wiggins Jr. Osamuyimen Osayimwen leads the way on the offensive line, while Mark Ciccarelli (Bentley), is back at wide receiver. Talented transfer linebacker Preston Zinter should be a force, while Nick Mazzie has converted several pressure kicks in his career.
3. BC High (6-5): Eagles might have as much returning talent as any team in Eastern Mass. The offensive line is impressive with Erik Russell (Wake Forest) and Zach Richardson anchoring the group, working in front of quarterback Bobby Wiesenhahn, tight end John Garrett and wide receivers Ben Evee and Louis Timmins. The defense should be very good with linebackers Ryan Carney, Jack O’Connell and Harry Peters back along with defensive linemen John May and Finn Duffey,
4. Xaverian (4-7): The Hawks went through a rare down year in 2019, but appear ready to turn it around. Quarterback Michael Berluti is back and he’ll benefit from an offensive line keyed by Noah Eldridge (Fordham) and tight end Noah Canty (Stonehill). Key defensive returnees are cornerback Connor Garland and LB Thomas Garland.
5. Mansfield (11-1): Defending Div. 2 state champions graduated a lot of quality players, but the cupboard is hardly bare. T.J. Guy (Michigan) is one of the premier defensive end/tight ends in New England. Cincere Gill and Anthony Comer are a 1-2 punch of dangerous running backs, while three-year starting lineman Jake McCoy (Assumption) anchors the trenches. Worcester State recruit Nico Holmes is back at linebacker.
6. St. John’s Prep (11-1): Two-time defending state champions will be led by defensive end Collin Taylor (Princeton) and running back James Guy. Nick Barrett is the top returning offensive lineman, while linebacker Grady McGowan and wide receiver Jackson Delaney will be factors.
7. Everett (8-3): New coach Rob DiLoreto has a roster loaded with talent. The receiving corps is stacked, featuring Ismael Zamor (Boston College verbal commit), Tyrese Baptiste (Maine) and Syeed Gibbs. Defensive ends Josaiah Stewart (Coastal Carolina) and Jaylen Murphy are a handful, while defensive back Samy Lamothe (Princeton) is a four-year starter. J.C. Clerveaux gets the nod as the featured back.
8. Andover (8-3): Golden Warriors return 13 starters from a team which played well down the stretch. Sophomore quarterback Scotty Brown comes off a terrific freshman year and will operate behind a line featuring A.J. Heidtke (Brown), Charlie Baillargeon and Parker Rankin. Lincoln Beal will be the featured back.
9. Natick (10-1): Redhawks return one of the top quarterbacks in the state in Will Lederman (Bentley) as well as All-Scholastic running back Jalyn Aponte. Jake Dunlap headlines the receiving corps.
10. Brockton (5-6): Boxers quarterback Devonte Medley can make plays from anywhere on the team and he has a big-time target in Nayvon Reid (Bentley). Naziah Armour leads the way on the offensive line.
11. Reading (8-3): Rockets have all the ingredients necessary to win. Sophomore standout quarterback James Murphy had a terrific freshman year and will be protected by a line featuring Dom DeCrescenzo, Dan O’Connor and Shawn Bekkenhuis (Norwich). Pat Harrigan is back at wide receiver, while Bentley-bound Dan DiMare is the top running back.
12. Melrose (12-0): The 2019 Div. 4 state champions return quarterback Brendan Fennell, running back Matt Hickey and lineman Andrew Norton-Jefferson.
13. Lincoln-Sudbury (8-4): The Div. 2 state finalists return quarterback Collin Murphy, wide receiver Jesse McCullough, defensive back Riley O’Connell, linebacker George Gozdeck and lineman Will Ohler.
14. Duxbury (9-4): Dragons battled injuries last season, but fought their way to the Div. 3 championship game. Matt Festa was the starting quarterback but was sidelined early in the season, but he’s back and ready. Wide receiver Cam Reagan, defensive back Ryan Prudente and linebacker Tim O’Neil also return for David Maimaron’s squad.
15. King Philip (8-3): Warriors never seem to rebuild, they merely reload. The top returnees for Brian Lee’s squad include lineman Pat Zarba, linebacker Mike Malatesta, running back Crawford Cantave, tight end Drew Danson and defensive back Nick Viscusi.
16. Tewksbury (10-2): Ryan Rametta (Husson) is back calling signals for the Redmen, while running back Kyle Darrigo will join him in the backfield. Will McKay is the top linebacker, while Malden transfer Davenche Sydney will be a mainstay at defensive tackle.
"sweet" - Google News
March 12, 2021 at 05:29PM
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Danny Ventura’s Preseason Sweet 16 - Boston Herald
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