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Defense delivers for banged up Central

Sunday, November, 13 By Dave Dyer

ACTON — "Defense, defense, defense!"

That was the successful rallying cry for Central Catholic both during the week and throughout Friday night's 26-0 victory over Acton-Boxboro.

Really, the Raiders didn't have any choice.

Without starting quarterback Bret Edwards, top running back Max Faro and two starting offensive linemen, Central's offense was pieced together during the week.

"It was a tough week for us and we were really makeshift tonight," said Central coach Chuck Adamopoulos. "We had to get by the best we could."

Thanks to the defense, which came through with three interceptions and four recovered fumbles, the Raiders got by just fine.

Central led 16-0 at the halftime, scoring first on a 22-yard Zach DeBay field goal three first downs after Mathias Villafane recovered a fumble.

Hanging onto a 3-0 lead late in the half the Raiders all but put the game away when Ty Donatio returned an interception 65 yards for a touchdown with 1:43 left.

Then, two plays later,  Matt Thomas pressured A-B quarterback Finn Murray, who threw an interception to beefy lineman Kalvin Guillermo, who rumbled 26 yards into the end zone.

"That's the first time I've had an interception at Central," said Donatio. "I got the ball, saw a lot of green and then just ran as fast as I could.

"We knew the defense had to play well. The coaches were harping on us all week to strip the ball, so it was good to get the four fumbles."

Central extended the lead late in the third quarter when, six plays after Carlos Cabrera recovered one of the fumbles, DeBay booted his second field goal, making it 19-0.

The Raiders' offense scored its lone touchdown in the fourth quarter after yet another fumble, this time on the A-B 6 yard-line. Two plays later, sophomore Joe Howshan scampered into the endzone from five yards out.

Howshan, starting on offense in place of Faro, did run the ball ghard, gaining 53 yards on nine carries. Senior QB, filling in for Edwards, was next with 31 yards.

The Raiders' offense had trouble sustaining drives all night but, the way the defense was playing it didn't matter. Donatio, Howshan, Villafane and Cabrera were around the ball all night and TJ Vaughn picked up the third interception.

"We're just happy with the win," said Adamopoulos. "The defense came up with a lot of big plays and we needed that."

Central will now try to heal up before its Thanksgiving matchup against winless Lawrence. Coaches for both teams are hopeful that the game will be played at Lawrence Stadium.