By Andrew Guindon
NEFJ Staff
SPRINGFIELD – Springfield Central defeated the defending D1 champs Xaverian in a scrappy, physical matchup on Friday night that came down to the end of the fourth quarter.
A game-sealing interception from freshman defensive back Anthony Whaley gave the Golden Eagles a 28-20 win.
Springfield Central is now 2-1 on the season while Xaverian falls to 3-1.
After a roughing the passer penalty was called against Springfield Central to set up a Xaverian first down at midfield, Whaley came away with the game-ending interception (the first of his high-school career) on a diving catch with just under a minute to go.
“Well, I just knew I had to make a play for my team,” said Whaley. “The quarterback threw my way, which was a mistake, and I caught it.”
Prior to the interception, both teams traded touchdowns. With 4:51 on the clock, Central running back Jayce Devine broke loose on a 70 yard outside zone run for a touchdown to make the score 28-13. Following the Central score, Xaverian junior wide receiver Dave Chiavegato returned Central’s kickoff to the house to make it 28-20.
Xaverian had Central’s number through most of the game entering the third quarter and led 13-12. However, sophomore quarterback Jareth Staine led the Central offense 93 yards down the field to take the lead on 4th-&-4 at Xaverian’s 15-yard line. Staine eluded pressure in the pocket, rolled out left, and threw a cross-body strike over the middle to senior wide receiver Dwayne Early Jr. The duo connected on the two-point conversion attempt to take the lead 20-13.
During the first quarter, the Xaverian offense was effective in both the pass and run game. On the opening drive, quarterback Will Wood connected with Chiavegato on a wide receiver screen pass that went just over 50 yards down the field. One offensive drive later, following a great showing from the Xaverian run defense, senior running back Vincent Busa broke open on an outside run for a 55 yard touchdown.
Central head coach Bill Watson praised Xaverian’s Busa for his performance.
“He’s a good football player. He’s good on both sides of the football,” said Watson. “That kid is tough.”
Central began to gain some traction on offense nearing the end of the first quarter. Senior defensive back Josiah Monday had a big punt return that gave Central the ball at the Xaverian 45 yard line.
Staine then took a deep shot down the sideline to Early Jr. who leapt over his defender to make an impressive 38 yard grab. Early’s catch set up Central deep into the red zone, which senior linebacker/running back Jack Cassey took advantage of, scoring a touchdown off of an inside run to make the score 13-6, Hawks.
Throughout the second quarter, Central’s defense was able to readjust and shut down Xaverian’s offense, holding them scoreless. Halfway through the second quarter, Xaverian gained momentum on an offensive drive that took them to midfield. However, senior defensive back Shaundez Buckhannon had other plans, intercepting a Wood pass to the right sideline.
“We just had to play faster,” said Watson regarding his team’s defensive adjustment. “We felt like we played a little too slow in the first quarter… They got good size up front, but we got some tough kids, and we were up to the challenge.”
