WESTWOOD – On Thursday evening, Catholic Conference coaches shared their thoughts on the possibility of a new format and the Super 8 tournament that comes with it.
Xaverian Coach Al Fornaro, St. John’s Prep Coach Brian St. Pierre and B.C High Coach Paul Zakauskas all shared their thoughts on the new format specifically the Super 8.
Fornaro did not mince words referring to it as an “Anti-Catholic” plan and a move to get the Catholic Schools out of the tournament.
“This is an anti-catholic (school) movement to get us out of the tournament.”
Fornaro’s comments elicited a reaction but if you know Al, you know he tells it like it is. He never minces words and it is something that I appreciate about him. He is standing by his program and what he believes. I applaud him for that.
St. John’s Prep Coach Brian St. Pierre looked at it from a different perspective.
“The Super 8 doesn’t mean much to us. Playing in Division 1 means you’re playing the iron so it doesn’t change much. I guess Catholic Memorial may have to play up and that makes the Division Two people happy but we play them anyways. We love the competition. They are a great program. St. John’s Prep will adhere to whatever the structure is and compete. There is too much complaining going on about football playoffs. It’s high school football. Our job descriptions go much deeper than state titles. I think too many coaches have lost sight of the mission. Whatever the system is sign us up and we’ll compete and be happy to do so.”
St. Pierre also talked about how hard it is for St. John’s Prep to find games, especially a ninth game. Finding games has long been an issue for the good programs in Massachusetts but it tends to get lost in the equity conversation.
B.C High Coach Paul Zakauskas also had a different view of the changes coming and the impending Super 8.
“I like the ninth game. I think making the playoffs more competitive is always good. He added. “I understand why they are doing it and it makes sense.”
Of course no one will sympathize with Xaverian. After all, they have won three straight Division 1 state titles. The reality is, that is the whole point of the Super 8. It is designed to take the elite programs, specifically Xaverian, St. John’s Prep, CM and Springfield Central out of the Division 1 and 2 brackets so that other schools could have a shot at competing for a state title.
Truth is, none of this was even a conversation until John DiBiaso arrived at Catholic Memorial. One he turned the program into a winner like he did at Weston and Everett and dominated Division 2, the push to separate the Catholic Schools and Public Schools became more of a conversation.
Like it or not, it speaks to DiBiaso’s greatness as a coach and his ability to attract talent.
Now it appears that the public school crowd is getting what they want but it still may not be enough as there is still a call to separate Catholic Schools and public schools completely.
People need to realize however that unlike other parts of the country, that is not happening in Massachusetts. The Super 8 is going to be as close as you get to that.
Big picture, public schools and athletic directors in particular need to focus on bigger issues like declining participation in all sports. It is a far bigger issue than Catholic Schools dominating football right now.
For now, this new proposal seems to have the support to become a reality but it will also continue the debate of whether or not public and Catholic schools should be playing each. Especially in football.