Stadium reopens with Central Catholic romp
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Thursday, November, 24
By Kyle Gaudette
LAWRENCE — No matter who won Thursday between Central Catholic and Lawrence, there was a common theme which brought both teams together.
It felt good to be home.
The old turf at Veterans Memorial Stadium served as the home for both the Raiders and the Lancers, but neither team thought they would play on it again this season after it was destroyed Oct. 2 during the “Festeja Boston” festival.
But there everyone was Thursday morning, gathered together on the brand new turf with Lawrence Mayor Dan Rivera tossing the ceremonial coin toss.
For the seniors for both teams, playing their last game on their home field meant everything.
“We’ve been wanting to play here all year,” said Central senior co-captain David Onyemem. “We only got to play one home game here this season so I’m definitely glad we were able to play here today.”
While both teams enjoyed the homecoming, it was Central that came away with the 32-6 victory to finish its season 8-2.
Lawrence faced an uphill task trying to earn its first win of the season against the powerhouse Raiders, and finished the season 0-11.
“It was very big to come back here and get a win,” said Central’s dominating senior linemen Carlos Cabrera. “We hadn’t been able to play here since early September so it was good to come back home.”
Central blitzed to an 18-0 lead by the end of the first quarter thanks to a 6-yard run by Max Faro and a 33-yard interception return by T.J. Vaughan.
As time expired in the first, junior quarterback Bret Edwards found Onyemem over double coverage in the back left end of the endzone.
“I just ran the route, stuck to the right and then broke left and the ball was right there waiting for me,” said Onyemem. “I just went up there and got it.”
The Raiders increased their lead to 25-0 at the half when Mathias Villafane caught a 48-yard bullet of a pass from Edwards. Villafane led the team with 68 yards on five receptions.
Late in the third quarter, Edwards found Anthony Farelli on a 25-yard strike for his third touchdown pass of the day. Edwards finished an impressive 14-of-18 passing for 178 yards.
Lawrence scored midway through the fourth when senior Angel Abreu hit Andre Wilson on a 2-yard fade route in the right corner of the endzone.
Abreu led the Lancers with 77 yards on 13 carries and also went 2 for 3 passing for 50 yards and the touchdown. He also caught a pass, and deservedly won his team’s MVP award for the game.
Edwards was not the only junior who was spectacular for Central Thursday. Faro rushed for 116 yards on only eight carries.
“It was awesome to get to play here today,” said Central coach Chuck Adamopoulos. “I love it here. When I got here, I was just hanging over the fence and watching us warm-up and just smiling. I know it meant a lot to Lawrence too so it was just a great day!”
Game Statistics:
First Quarter
CC — Max Faro 6 run (kick failed), 4:49
CC — T.J. Vaughan 33 interception return (pass failed), 4:38
CC — David Onyemem 16 pass from Bret Edwards (pass failed), :00
Second Quarter
CC — Mathias Villafane 48 pass from Edwards (Zach DeBay kick), 9:16
Third Quarter
CC — Anthony Farelli 25 pass from Edwards (DeBay kick), :10
Fourth Quarter
LHS — Andre Wilson 2 pass from Angel Abreu (kick failed), 7:05
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING: CENTRAL (27-147) — Max Faro 8-116, Joe Howshan 6-26, Ty Donatio 4-20, Mathias Villafane 1-12, AJ Caggianelli 1-3, Bret Edwards 7-(-30); LAWRENCE (23-110) — Angel Abreu 13-77, Miguel Camacho 3-27, Brandon Santell 2-10, Ronny Pena 3-3, Ruben Morillo 1-2, Dylan Montanez 1-(-9)
PASSING: CENTRAL — Bret Edwards 14-18-0, 178, Matt Horgan 1-1-0, (-1); LAWRENCE — Angel Abreu 2-3-1, 50, Ronny Pena 3-10-2, 3
RECEIVING: CENTRAL — Villafane 5-68, David Onyemem 4-58, Anthony Farelli 3-34, Zach Chase 1-9, Jake Delaney 1-7, Donatio 1-5; LAWRENCE — Andre Wilson 2-50, Morillo 1-2, Dylan Montanez 1-1, Abreu 1-0
