Central rolls past Haverhill
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Friday, October, 19
By David Willis
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.”
Game Statistics:
First Quarter
CC — Jared Silverio 6 run (Nick Mazzie kick), 5:51
CC — Shaun Morgan 45 pass from Aidan Gordon (Mazzie kick), 2:53
Second Quarter
CC — Silverio 24 run (kick failed), 8:16
CC — Nick Donatio 3 pass from Silverio (Mazzie kick), 1:53
Third Quarter
CC — Cam Boes 10 pass from Silverio (Mazzie kick), 7:21
Fourth Quarter
CC — Jared Gillis 3 run (Mazzie kick), 8:32
INDIVIDUAL LEADERS
RUSHING: Central (46-292) — Jared Silverio 13-104, Joe Howshan 5-28, Mark Kassis 8-31, Aidan Gordon 5-43, Anthony Caggianelli 3-35, Michael LeFebre 1-2, Matt Shaw 4-14, Jared Gillis 3-21, Michael Finneran 3-9, J.J. Mercuri 1-5, George Chaya 1-0; Haverhill (20-20) — Ayden Alvarado 4-9, David Carreiro 5-15, Carlton Campbell 2-6, Blake Bachry 1-2, Colum O'Brien 1-5, Disani Houston 2-(1), Brady Skafas 5-(-16)
PASSING: Central — Jared Silverio 8-13-0, 68, Aidan Gordon 5-9-0, 83; Haverhill — Brady Skafas 4-12-1, 39
RECEIVING: Central — Michael LeFebre 4-42, Nick Donatio 4-30, Shaun Morgan 2-49, Cam Boes 1-10, Jermaine Wiggins 1-18, Anthony Caggianelli 1-2; Haverhill — Blake Bachry 2-16, Dante Cadeus 1-11, D.J. Cunningham 1-12
