RallyNorth.net

Central Catholic Raiders Football '18

Central seniors come through in Thanksgiving win over Lawrence

LAWRENCE - No one would blame you if you thought Anthony Caggianelli was already looking ahead to winter track.

After all, he showed great form when he hurdled a Lawrence defender during the first quarter of Wednesday night's Thanksgiving rivalry game, and the Central Catholic senior did finish seventh in the area with a 15.34 in the 100-meter hurdle last spring.

Read More »
Football, 11/21/18 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars

Central falls to St. John's Prep

DANVERS — Central Catholic came to Glatz Field hoping to carry over momentum from last week’s huge upset win over Everett. 
But St. John’s Prep had other ideas.
A punishing defense prevented the Raiders from getting anything going offensively, and St. John’s won 21-0 to earn a trip to Gillette Stadium for the Division 1 state title game against Catholic Memorial on December 1.
“I’m really happy for these kids,” said Prep coach Brian St. Pierre. “We’ve had more injuries this year than I can ever remember, but each time somebody else stepped up.”
It was second time this season the Eagles bested Central Catholic, winning back in September, 31-12. 
St. John’s got off to a great start on the opening possession. The Eagles drove 45 yards, capped by a 3-yard touchdown run by Andover’s Trent Tully. The senior running back, who took over the starting job due to injury, carried the ball 23 times for 74 yards and a pair of touchdowns on the day.
Despite a strong wind, Prep QB Matt Crowley completed 10 of 13 attempts for 169 yards, and broke the Prep’s record for passing yards in a single season with 1,550. The old record belonged to Andover’s Ollie Eberth (1,461). 
Crowley had success throwing to Wes Rockett (7 catches for 87 yards) and Luke Brennan (2-57). 
“I  want every one of my quarterbacks to break my record,” said St. Pierre, who held the mark until Eberth broke it. “Crowley has grown up in the position, and does a great job leading the offense.”
Central Catholic quarterback Jared Silverio was on the run throughout the contest, and was sacked six times. Anthony Caggianelli led the Raiders with five carries for 31 yards.
“This is an amazing feeling,” said senior captain James Taylor. “Our whole defense was playing out of our minds all game. I’m so happy for everyone. Going to the Super Bowl is amazing.”
  The Eagles added another touchdown midway through the second quarter when Crowley connected with Luke Brennan across the middle for a 49-yard touchdown. Brennan caught the ball at the Raiders 37-yard line and raced untouched to pay dirt. After Sean Majeski booted the second of three PAT’s the lead was 14-0. St. Pierre called Brennan’s catch the play of the game.
“I don’t get targeted a lot, but when those moments happen I have to get up and make the catch,” said the senior wide receiver. “They were playing inside me all game, and the ball from Crowley was perfect.”
The Eagles came up empty in the red zone late in the third quarter after a 42-yard reception by Rockett gave them a first down at the 12-yard line. Majeski’s 23-yard field goal was just wide to the right after kicking into a stiff wind.
Tully put the game out of reach with an 8-yard touchdown run, bulling his way through the defense with 6:42 remaining in the game to wrap things up. The key to that drive was a 25-yard reception by tight end Anthony Fagan.
Central Catholic threatened on its next possession when Silverio (7 of 20 passing, 78 yards)  completed a 36-yard lass to Cam Boes to the Eagles 36. But a long ball intended for Shaun Morgan at the goal line fell incomplete. On the next play James Taylor and Hanley combined for another sack, forcing a punt. 
“We’re not done yet; we’ve got two huge games coming up (Xaverian at Fenway Park and the state title game),” said St. Pierre. “Our defense was just outstanding all game, and we’ve been stout all year. This was a total team effort, and so many different guys performed well. We’ll enjoy it for a couple of days, and then get back to work.”
 
Read More »
Football, 11/10/18 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars

Central stuns Goliath: Raider kicker Mazzie, son of Everett Police Chief, drills winning field goal to upset Tide

EVERETT - There were no words as the final pass of Friday night's Division 1 North semifinal game hit the turf incomplete.

On one sideline, it was pure, speechless shock. On the other, pandemonium.

Read More »
Football, 11/02/18 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars

Caggionelli, Raiders swarm all over Lexington

 

LAWRENCE — The whole Central Catholic football team was ready and determined to open the Division 1 playoffs on a high note Friday night against Lexington.

But no one could have been more determined than two-way senior AJ Caggionelli.

Read More »
Football, 10/26/18 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars

Central rolls past Haverhill

HAVERHILL — Central Catholic may have returned just three starters this fall, but the goal for the regular season remained clear.
 
“Our goal is always to hang an (MVC Division 1) championship banner in the gym,” said Raiders QB Jared Silverio. “We want to do it every year. So it’s huge to go out and earn a big win tonight.”
 
Central Catholic took care of business on Friday, surging past Haverhill 41-0 in its regular season finale. 
 
The win sends the Raiders (5-2) into the postseason hot — winners of four straight — and clinches at least a share of the MVC Division 1 title. They just need a victory over winless Lawrence on Thanksgiving to take the title on their own.
 
“It’s a big accomplishment for us,” said senior Cam Boes. “And it feels great to get a good win today. We were ready. We marched down and scored a couple of quick touchdowns, and that was huge.”
Central wasted no time taking control.
The Raiders forced a three-and-out to start the game, then marched 76 yards and Silverio barreled in from 6 yards out for a score. 
Central then forced another three-and-out, and the Raiders’ other QB —Aidan Gordon — found Shaun Morgan, who tip-toed the sidelines and broke away for a 45-yard score.
 “We were feeling good going into the night,” said Silverio. “It was big to score quick. The defense had a few big stops, and we put points on the board early.”
The Raiders kept rolling from there. Two possessions later, Silverio took a keep, dodged three defenders and ran in from 24 yards out for a TD. And with 1:53 until halftime Silverio threw a jump pass for a 3-yard score to Nick Donatio.
Silverio completed his big day with a 10-yard touchdown strike to Boes on the first possession of the second half. Jared Gillis capped the scoring with a 3-yard run.
“Our offense really played well,” said Boes. “Jared threw some great passes and our line was protecting him really well. I think we are playing our best offense right now.”
While the offense was rolling, Central’s defense was even better. 
The Raiders limited Haverhill to just 59 yards and two first downs for the game. Central’s Joe Howshan, who had battled a groin injury, intercepted a pass and appeared to recover a fumble on back-to-back possessions.
Mark Kassis and Anthony Caggianelli combined on a sack early for the Raiders, and Ryan Finneran added a sack later.
“We were prepared for their offense,” said Boes. “Our line kept their offensive line off the backers, and everyone else was flying around making plays.”
The Raiders now wait to see who they will take on in the first round of the Division 1 North tournament. 
“I think we are hitting our stride at the right time,” said Boes. “Our last three games we have really come together, and we feel ready for the playoffs.”
Read More »
Football, 10/19/18 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars

Central keeps it rolling with dominant win over Methuen

METHUEN - Right from the opening kickoff, you could tell Central Catholic was locked in.

Maybe it was because junior quarterback Jared Silverio is from Methuen, and he desperately wanted to beat his buddies from back home. Or maybe it was because first place in the MVC Large was on the line.

Read More »
Football, 10/12/18 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars

Central Catholic's defense stifles Lowell to just 97 yards

LAWRENCE - Lewy Baez-Troncoso may not be the biggest kid on Central Catholic's roster, but he sure as heck hits like he is.

The 5-foot-8, 195-pound senior laid some monster hits, was in on a pair of sacks and otherwise fueled a stout Raiders defense that held visiting Lowell to just 97 total yards in a 40-0 blowout Friday night.

Read More »
Football, 10/05/18 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars

North Andover takes historic win over Central Catholic

NORTH ANDOVER — With history on the line, North Andover’s Jack Walsh would not allow the ball to escape his hands.
 
“I went up for the ball and I took a beating,” said Walsh. “But I did everything I could to hold onto the ball. My teammate covered me up and it was just perfect.”
 
Central Catholic recovered a fumble with just over a minute left in regulation, and quickly scored to cut North Andover’s lead to seven points.
 
But Walsh was there to recover the ensuing onside kick and lock down a historic 14-7 victory for the Scarlet Knights in front of approximately 2,000 fans.
The win was the first win for North Andover over Central Catholic in football since the Eagle-Tribune began keeping complete records in 1984. The only other time the two teams met was in 2012, a Raiders victory.
“We’ve been looking forward to this since the day we found out they were on our schedule,” said Walsh. “We’ve had this circled on our calendar all offseason. I am happy for the team, the coaches and the whole community.”
After QB Jake McElroy took a final knee, the Scarlet Knights rushed the field to celebrate the win, a battle of the favorites in Merrimack Valley Conference Division 1 and Division 2.
“It’s unbelievable,” said McElroy. “They are a tough team to beat, and to get it done on our home field in front of all these fans is amazing. We knew they were coming in and it could be a big win, and we were determined to get it.”
Leading the way was a North Andover defense that allowed Central just 51 rushing yards on 20 carries and spent the entire game in the Raiders’ backfield.
Senior defensive end Mike Roche had 2.5 sacks, lineman Raphael Usuomon had two sacks and Ryan Slattery chased down the QB once. 
Walsh added an interception, and Mark Federico picked off a pass. 
“We were pushing through the line well,” said Roche. “We knew they were going to be tough. It’s a lot of fun rushing the passer and making plays. Everyone stepped up.”
North Andover’s offense wasn’t as polished as it had been in the first two weeks. But the Knights were able to deliver just enough.
In the second quarter, North Andover marched 82 yards on nine plays, and McElroy scrambled in for a 12-yard score.
The Knights added the eventual game-winning points in the fourth thanks to an 11-play, 88-yard drive that JD Allen finished with a 6-yard TD.
“We spread them out and ran read-option about 10 straight plays and they didn’t stop it,” said McElroy. “We weren’t really clicking on offense. But we did enough, And our defense was amazing. They should have had a shutout. They played an amazing game today.”
Central made it a game in the final minute, when Anthony Caggianelli scored a 6-yard TD with a minute left. 
But Walsh held onto the onside kick and clinched the win.
“I was just hoping someone got it,” said Roche. “And Walshy got it. He had a great game. It was awesome.
“This feels great. We did it at home, and this means a lot. We knew it would be a tough game. We were pumped, and we got it done.”

Read More »
Football, 09/21/18 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars

New faces lead Central

LAWRENCE — Understandably Jared Siverio was a bit anxious before his first varsity start Friday night.

Read More »
Football, 09/07/18 » 0 Comments & 0.0 Stars