RallyNorth.net

Fri, Oct 27, 2017 07:00 PM @ Central Catholic

Team	Q1	Q2	Q3	Q4	Final
Acton-Boxboro	0	0	0	0	0
Central Catholic	7	17	14	6	44

Howshan, Central defense take center stage

Friday, October, 27 By Dave Dyer

LAWRENCE - Lost in the maze of offensive heroics for the unbeaten Central Catholic football team this fall has been some pretty impressive defense.

There were plenty of offensive highlights again Friday night in the first round of the Division 1 playoffs, as the Raiders (8-0) whipped Acton-Boxboro 44-0, but it was probably the defense that shined brightest,

The Raiders didn't allow the Colonials to cross midfield the entire game, and even with reserves playing in the fourth quarter, kept A-B to less than 100 yards both rushing (84) and passing (85).

Pacing the defense was safety Joe Howshan, who had two interceptions, giving him eight for the season, and he nearly had a third.

"I do think we (defense) have been a little overlooked but we just come out and play hard," said Howshan. "Our (defensive) line has played really well and that makes it easier for us."

Among those applying pressure up front for the Raiders were Jose Penalo, Nathan Driscoll and Ryan Burns with the likes of backers Cam Boes and Max Faro helping out. This was the second shutout of the season for the Raiders, who also gave up just one touchdown in three other games.

"Except for the Methuen game, our defense has played really well," said Central coach Chuck Adamopoulos, whose club has now outscored opponents 336-78. "Joe Howshan had another good game - he's a really good defensive back.

"He's very athletic, he's got great instincts and he's very smart. He's one of the most intelligent defensive backs we've had."

Howshan also returned his two interceptions 55 yards and 26 yards, both times setting up the Raiders on the A-B 5-yard line.

Among the offensive standouts was sophomore quarterback Jared Silverio, who spelled starter Bret Edwards throughout the game as Edwards (10 of 18 for 121 yards and a touchdown) recovers from a bruised shoulder.

Silverio scored the game's first TD on a 4-yard run, connected with Mathias Villafane on a 32-yard pass in the third quarter and also scored on a 13-yard run in the third quarter.

"I knew I was going to play but I wasn't sure how much," said Silverio, a Methuen resident. "I was pretty excited about it."

Said Adamopoulos: "It was good to see him and I thought he did a good job for a sophomore. We didn't want to push Bret after he got banged up last week, But I think he (Edwards) should be good to go next week.

Max Faro led a balanced running attack with 67 yards on eight carries and junior reserve Anthony Caggianelli scored on a 60-yard burst to close out the scoring in the fourth quarter. Villafane had two catches for 56 yards and two touchdowns and Zach DeBay was 5 for 5 on extra points and added a 24-yard field goal.

The Raiders will be at home again next Friday in the Division 1 quarterfinals against Methuen.

 

Central Catholic 44, Acton-Boxboro 0

Division 1 First Round

Acton-Boxboro (3-5):     0  0  0 0 -  0

Central Catholic (8-0):     7 17 14 6 - 44

First Quarter

CC - Jared Silverio 4 run (Zach DeBay kick), 3:04

Second Quarter

CC - DeBay 24 FG, 10:42

CC - Jake Delaney 10 pass from Bret Edwards (DeBay kick), 7:57

CC - Mathias Villafane 24 pass from Edwards (DeBay kick), 1:06

Third Quarter

CC - Villafane 32 pass from Silverio (DeBay kick), 7:16

CC - Silverio 13 run (DeBay kick) 5:57

Fourth Quarter

CC - Anthony Caggianelli 60 run (kick failed), 10:48

INDIVIDUAL LEADERS

RUSHING: Central (23-252) — Max Faro 8-67, Jared Silverio 5-45, Anthony Farelli 2-22, Joe Howshan 3-17, Ty Donatio 2-22, Anthony Caggianelli 1-60, Lewy Baez Troncoso 1-19, Mark Kassis 1-2; A-B (23-84) - Kyle Campasano 7-33, Finn Murray 9-35, Nick Douglas 1-1, John Arsenault 3-10, Pablo Barrios 3-5

PASSING: Central - Bret Edwards 10-18-1, 121; Silverio 1-1-0, 32; A-B - Murray 9-29-2, 85

RECEIVING: Central - Faro 1-11, Farelli 1-16, Jake Delaney 3-20, Greg Desrosiers 3-42, Mathias Villafane 2-56, Donatio 1-8; A-B - Victor Oterio 1-5, Campasano 1-3, Jonas Weichman 4-33, Ethan Logue 3-44