RallyNorth.net

Central Catholic shocks Billerica

Saturday, November, 08 By Mike McMahon
Staff writer

BILLERICA — As Central Catholic head coach Chuck Adamopoulos left the field after last night’s 20-8 triumph over Billerica, he couldn’t help but think, what if?

He wondered where the Raiders would stand in the MVC had they been able to put together a string of efforts like they had against Billerica.

“You know, looking back, there isn’t a big gap between 5-4 and 8-1,” Adamopoulos said. “We played extremely well in every facet of the game. Defensively, we really contained their best players, we kept them in close. Billerica is going to beat you with big plays and we kept those to a minimum. We made them punt the ball quite a bit, and had some key turnovers as well.

“We stopped their counter, and that’s their big play. We stopped it early enough that it really kept them from running the ball.”

Billerica ran the ball just 11 times, and threw 33 passes.

Central was without the services of two-way starter Andy Scott, after the starting running and defensive back went down with a mild concussion in the middle of the week. But, junior back Tommy Lacroix filled the void, rushing for 98 yards on nine carries, including a 3-yard touchdown plunge in the second quarter that capped a 10 play drive.

“That’s been the story of our season, one guy always seems to be out,” Adamopoulos said. “Tommy has really come on for us the last couple of weeks. He was outstanding tonight. He’s the type of kid that just kept working at it, never stopped. It’s paying off for him now, and he’s a big reason we were able to get out in front and keep the lead tonight. We were able to keep the ball on the ground and control it.”

The Raiders, whose jerseys went from bright white at the opening whistle to a sloppy mess of brown by game’s end, won the game with its defense, limiting Billerica’s high-powered offense to just eight points and 187 total yards from scrimmage.

In the third quarter, the Indians looked as if they were going to get themselves back in the game. Trailing by 17 points, Christopher Clark rushed 67 yards off a screen pass to spot the ball feet from the end zone, but the defense stuffed three rushers and John DiBitetto made a diving breakup on third down to keep the Indians out.

“We’re up 17-0 and they catch us with that screen pass. That goal line stand sealed the deal,” Adamopoulos said. “I’m proud of our guys, they came to play tonight. There were a lot of key plays, but making that stand and then driving the ball down the field right after, that sealed it.”