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The St. John's Prep football team didn't rely solely on its offense for scoring, but got its defense and special teams involved as well in a 35-6 victory over Malden Catholic yesterday afternoon.

The victory now sets up a battle for the Catholic Conference title this Saturday at Cronin Field, when the host Eagles (5-4 overall) take on unbeaten B.C. High (9-0) at 1:30 p.m. Both squads are 2-0 in league play.

After a disappointing stretch in non-league games (3-4), the Eagles came up with their best effort of the season, downing Catholic Memorial on the road, 27-21, in their Catholic Conference opener.

Senior captain and tailback Derek Coppola led the way with 172 yards and two touchdowns, including the game winner, on 20 carries. Coppola's decisive touchdown came on a 3-yard pass play from Scott Darby with 35 seconds left in the game, snapping a 21-all tie.

BILLERICA | On a night not fit for playing any outdoor sport, the Billerica High football team didn't seem to mind the torrential rains that fell upon them last night.

The Indians were able to move the ball in the wet conditions better than visiting St. John's Prep and wound up with a 20-10 victory.

BILLERICA | On a night not fit for playing any outdoor sport, the Billerica High football team didn't seem to mind the torrential rains that fell upon them last night.

The Indians were able to move the ball in the wet conditions better than visiting St. John's Prep and wound up with a 20-10 victory.

At this point in the season the St. John's Prep football team must be starting to feel like the characters in the movie "National Lampoon's Vacation."

Like the movie's Griswold family, which spends an inordinate amount of time reaching the theme park Wally World, only to find out that it's closed for maintenance, the 3-3 Eagles have endured what seems like an interminable wait to play a Catholic Conference game.

The trip to Shrewsbury didn't start off auspiciously for St. John's Prep. They ran into traffic, and their buses pulled up to the field 15 minutes before game time. To compound problems the Eagles were offside on their first play, and then fumbled the ball away.

DANVERS | Football coaches preach all the time about avoiding turnovers. For the most part, the players listen, but turnovers happen anyway.

Failure to protect the ball led to the third straight loss for St. John's Prep Saturday. The Eagles turned the ball over six times on four interceptions and Dracut recovered two fumbles. All the scoring for the Middies came in the first half, but they were able to stave off a second half rally by the Eagles for their second win of the season, 23-16 at Cronin Memorial Stadium.

DANVERS | For the first time ever, the St. John's Prep football team played a home football game under the lights at Cronin Stadium last night.

But visiting Brockton spoiled any hopes of a magical night for the hosts, denying the Eagles a come-from-behind victory by keeping the ball for the last five-and-a-half minutes and hung on for a 19-14 victory.

DANVERS | It didn't take long for visiting Everett to spoil St. John's Prep's home opener before a large crowd at Donahue Stadium. Both teams came into the contest sporting 2-0 records.

However, the Crimson Tide demonstrated why they are ranked No. 1 in the state and in the top 20 nationwide by displaying multiple weapons on offense and a stifling defense in a 35-7 thrashing of the Eagles.

DANVERS | It didn't take long for visiting Everett to spoil St. John's Prep's home opener before a large crowd at Donahue Stadium. Both teams came into the contest sporting 2-0 records. But the Crimson Tide demonstrated why they are ranked No. 1 in the state and in the top 20 nationwide by displaying multiple weapons on offense and a stifling defense.