ITEM PHOTO BY KATIE MORRISON
Marblehead quarterback Drew Gally’s reaction sums up the day for the Magicians after their 34-13 loss to Falmouth in the Division 2A state Super Bowl game.
By GORDON VINCENT
For the second straight season, the St. Mary’s High football team’s quest for a Super Bowl title was ended by East Bridgewater, which thumped the Spartans, 34-8, in the Division 3A title game, Saturday, at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough.
The Spartans (11-1) uncharacteristically turned the ball over six times, losing four fumbles and throwing a pair of interceptions. East Bridgewater’s Joseph Donahue returned two of the fumbles for touchdowns.
The Vikings (11-2) limited St. Mary’s vaunted running attack to just 48 yards, and held the Spartans to just 128 yards of total offense.
James Brumfield scored the only touchdown for St. Mary’s on a 5-yard run with 7:10 left in the fourth quarter.
East Bridgewater defeated the Spartans in the state semifinal last year.
Freshman receiver Matt Cross suffered a serious leg injury in the first half and was taken from the field in a stretcher. In a tweet later Saturday, the school athletic department wrote, “continued prayers for Matt as he heads to Boston Children’s Hospital for surgery.”
See Monday’s Item and itemlive.com for more coverage.
Falmouth 34, Marblehead 13
At Gillette, Gates Kelliher scored three touchdowns, the Clippers got an early 14-0 jump on the Magicians, and coasted to the win in the Division 2A game.
Falmouth led, 14-0, at the break.
Magician quarterback Drew Gally threw two touchdown passes — one to Manning Sears and the other to Derek Marino.
Marblehead finishes with an 11-1 record.
Everett 21, Xaverian 7
At Manning Field in Lynn, if Xaverian football coach Charlie Stevenson could hop into a time machine, and go back two minutes before the opening kickoff of today’s Division 1 championship, perhaps he would have elected to get the ball rather than kick to Everett. The Crimson Tide said thanks very much, took the kick and were up 7-0 shortly thereafter.
The Tide never looked back and won going away to take the crown. One longtime NEC head coach said at halftime that Xaverian could not block Everett’s defensive front, and they couldn’t. Everett made Hawks QB Madison Cronin miserable, sacking him seven times the afternoon.
Everett co-captain, lineman Duval Paul said the game plan was simple Saturday afternoon.
“We wanted to beat them up, and we did, especially on defense, and when we do that, it give the offense confidence,” Paul said.
It was also a great day for the city of Lynn, and the folks at Manning Field, the 2016 Super Bowl hosts. An early count put over 6,000 people in attendance.
Classical senior Jack Stafford, who was in one of two slammed concession booths said it was quite a day for everyone at Manning.
“We sold out of just about everything, a lot of water, pizza, hot dogs and of course, hot chocolate,” Stafford said.