MEDFORD — Coming into the year, there was some question about the experience level of the Bishop Fenwick football team after graduating 18 seniors. But with Saturday night’s 48-7 blowout victory over Catholic Central League foe Arlington Catholic, the Crusaders made a definitive statement that varsity experience may not be all it’s cracked up to be.
After this weekend’s win, Fenwick has outscored its first two opponents of the season by a margin of 83-21.
Fenwick quarterback Steven Woods — one of the only players who came into this year with varsity experience — led the way in the win with 266 yards of total offense (148 passing, 118 rushing) and two total touchdowns (one passing, one rushing). Running back Troy Irizarry had a big day as well with 103 rushing yards and three touchdowns, while Costa Beechin and Luke Connolly each had one rushing touchdown and Chris Faraca had one touchdown reception. Beechin also notched an interception in the victory, as did Aidan Breen.
The Crusaders got things going in the first quarter, setting up their first score after Beechin stepped in front of a pass and picked it off to set Fenwick up just outside of the red zone. Two plays later, Woods hit Faraca for a 21-yard touchdown connection to make it 7-0.
Irizarry took over for the rest of the first quarter, notching scores on a one-yard punch and a 41-yard gallop to give the Crusaders a 21-0 lead going into the second quarter. Woods later added a one-yard rushing touchdown late in the second, giving Fenwick a 28-7 lead at the half.
Things continued in Fenwick’s favor to start the second half, as the Crusaders marched up the field on the opening drive and capped it with a 25-yard rushing touchdown from Beechin. Irizarry added his third touchdown of the day a few minutes later, then Connolly rounded out the scoring for Fenwick when he rushed one in from 13 yards out with less than 30 seconds left in the third quarter.
Fenwick (2-0) will have a short week coming up, returning to the field Friday night (7) for a home game against CCL foe Austin Prep at Donaldson Stadium.