By Jared Keene
NEFJ Staff
ATTLEBORO – Ever since a season-opening loss to Xaverian, Bishop Feehan hasn’t tasted defeat again. .
Entering Friday evening’s massive Catholic Central League showdown with St. Mary’s, the Shamrocks had won their previous six contests, outscoring opponents 209-32 in that span. Allowing just over five points per game during that stretch is simply astounding, but its been the team’s offense that has garnered most of the attention.
This game had very little to do with offense, however, as Feehan’s robust defensive effort – particularly on the ground – helped the Shamrocks essentially clinch the league title with a 13-0 blanking of the previously unbeaten Spartans.
Having already topped Bishop Fenwick and now St. Mary’s, all Feehan (7-1, 5-0) has to do is beat Bishop Stang on Thanksgiving to claim the league title outright.
“Really nice to get the win here tonight,” Shamrocks coach Bryan Pinabell said. “That was an old school football game in a new school football world. One of our first goals every year is to win the CCL title, so that’s great for our kids and I’m really happy for our seniors on senior night.
“Defensively, we were just outstanding tonight. What a great game by our defense.”
St. Mary’s (7-1, 5-1) came into the game averaging 252.9 yards on the ground per contest, with at least four guys they can use to pound the rock at you.
But Feehan defensive coordinator Jacob Curren was ready, knowing exactly what schemes and looks his team needed to primarily prepare for all week. Sure, the Spartans had a few nice runs, but they got nowhere near their season average, rushing for just 141 yards, with 24 of those coming on one play.
And when St. Mary’s wanted to throw it, quarterback Yaniel Belliard was often looking for his standout playmaker Tyler Guy. But once again, the Shamrocks were ready, as they double covered Guy and usually shaded over the top to his side. The result? Two catches, both in the fourth quarter.
Feehan also had two interceptions and three sacks – one of which resulted in a touchdown.
“It’s funny because a lot of people have talked a lot about our offense this year,” Pinabell said. “I feel like, to a degree, our defense has been overlooked a bit and they played their best game at the most critical moment tonight. We committed to shutting down their run game and their top receiver, we had a great pass rush, and for the most part, we tackled very well in the open field.”
Speaking of the defensive touchdown, it came at a key time in the fourth to pretty much seal the win.
St. Mary’s had actually punted, but Finn McHale fumbled on the return and the Spartans recovered at the Shamrock 44. Belliard then hit Guy for 27 yards and a personal foul on Feehan gave the visitors the ball at the 14. On the next play, St. Mary’s got it down to the seven, but a chop block, a two-yard loss, and then a sack for a 10-yard loss left the Spartans facing 4th-&-31.
Belliard dropped the snap and the ball rolled a bit to his right. He picked it up, but was hurried by Thomas Cairns, who forced a fumble. Sean Hickey – a force on both sides of the line throughout – scooped it up and raced 53-yards down the left sideline to pay dirt. A made point after left it 13-0 with 6:57 left to play.
“Every once in awhile in practice, the ball pops out, you pick it up, and you start running with it,” Hickey said. “So, on that play, I just saw the ball, I picked it up, I heard no whistle, and I just kept running. That felt so nice.”
Offensively for the Shamrocks, David Quinn ran the ball hard all night, carrying 18 times for 122 yards and a first quarter touchdown from eight yards out (PAT miss).
“We’re a big ground-and-pound team,” Quinn said. “We’re quick off the snap and aggressive, so when the ball gets snapped, it’s full speed. Our line is amazing and we knew these kids were tough, so the only way we knew we could beat them was just punch them in the mouth.”
