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Central Catholic, St. John's Shrewsbury

LAWRENCE — This was nothing unusual for Central Catholic senior Justice McGrail.

Except that the stakes were higher and the stage was brighter.

Whatever the case, McGrail stood out Friday night as the Raiders took care of St. John's of Shrewsbury, 37-13, in the quarterfinals of the MIAA Division 1 football playoffs.

McGrail, a gritty 5-foot-9, 155-pounder from Methuen, caught six passes, including TD receptions of 41 and 40 yards, for 118 yards and played stellar defense in the secondary as Central advanced to next week's semifinals against local rival St. John's Prep with a convincing win.

"He's been playing like that all year," said Central coach Chuck Adamopoulos. "He makes big plays for us."

McGrail also made the workmanlike plays as well including on the opening drive of the game. His two receptions helped Central sustain a five-minute drive that resulted in a 31-yard Mike Ryan field goal, giving the Raiders a lead they would not give up.

Following a Preston Zinter interception and return, Central went up 9-0 on a 4-yard TD run by Markys Bridgewater, making it 9-0.

McGrail got back into the thick of action in the third quarter, hauling in a 40-yard TD pass from Pereira to make it 16-0 and then, after the Pioneers fought back to make it 16-13, all but locked up the victory by fighting for the ball in the end zone for a 40-yard TD catch, making it 23-13.

The Raiders then assured victory with a pair of pick-sixes, of 39 yards by Sean Mercuri and 68 yards by Marcus Rivera.

Quotes from Chuck

Defense

next week.