As we continue our series with coach Q&As with state champions, we got a chance to talk with Xaverian’s Al Fornaro. The Hawks went 9-4 with a D1 state title this fall, the program’s second in as many years. We wanted to get Fornaro’s take on his team, and why the Hawks were so successful in the postseason. Here is an edited version of that conversation. Adam Kurkjian: Last year……
BROCKTON — As a starting fullback, linebacker, and kicker, Xaverian senior Luke Bell impacts each Hawks game. In Saturday’s D1 state semifinal against BC High, Bell’s influence was monumental. He made two interceptions returned for touchdowns, booted a critical field goal, hit two PATs, and was a key piece in blocking for a running game that took off in the second half of a 31-14 victory. With the win, No…….
By Paul Vozzella NEFJ Staff DORCHESTER — BC High took on Xaverian Friday night in a Catholic Conference battle. The Eagles controlled the scoreboard for the majority of the game with a big swing in momentum coming early in the second quarter that led to the 30-13 win. BC High running back Brenden Ryan suffered an injury early in the game, leaving the brunt of the backfield workload on running……
By Mukala Kabongo NEFJ Staff WEST ROXBURY — Xaverian’s late rally fell short as the Hawks dropped a heartbreaker to Catholic Conference rival Catholic Memorial, 40-37, in front of a packed crowd at James R. O’Connor Field. Last year when these two teams faced off it was a late drive by Xaverian ending with a Lasean Sharp touchdown pass as time expired that gave the Knights a thrilling victory. The……
By Jared Keene NEFJ Correspondent WESTWOOD – On a night when every single yard mattered, it was Xaverian’s defense that proved to be the hero. Leading by eight as time ticked away, the Hawks were going to have to lock in and make the necessary plays needed to beat a quality Central Catholic squad. Twice the Raiders had the ball in Xaverian territory with under 2 minutes remaining, but twice……
WEST ROXBURY and WESTWOOD — The fact that Catholic Memorial and Xaverian are less than six miles apart made the scrimmage doubleheader possible. That, and the fact that the times were staggered, with the one at CM at 11 am, and the one at Xaverian 1 p.m. For Catholic Memorial, the visitor was Fitchburg. Xaverian welcomed Merrimack Valley Conference foes Andover and Tewksbury. The one at Xaverian was a little……
For many high school football players, a showcase is a good way to get on the radar of college coaches. But for Xaverian’s Micah Amedee, the defensive lineman is more than well known. He is a verbal commit to Boston College. Did that stop the 6-foot-3, 270-pounder from participating in Thursday night’s Catholic Conference Football Showcase at Xaverian? Absolutely not. Amedee took part, and that says a lot both about……
It has been an eventful year at Xaverian. The Westwood Catholic Conference and state power is coming off a D1 title, its first since 2015. Leading the way for the Hawks this past season was quarterback Henry Hasselbeck, who will continue his career at UCLA. Xaverian lost a lot of talent from that squad, but the Hawks should reload and again be one of the top teams in the region…….
It was quite a year for the Xaverian Hawks. Injuries hit this team hard, but it kept winning at a high level. The finishing run included wins over Springfield Central, Needham, and St. John’s Prep (twice in six days). So, yes, this D1 state title? The Hawks earned every bit of it. We spoke to Xaverian coach Al Fornaro to get his thoughts on the season, and how it came……
You may have known this if you covered Xaverian or rooted for the school, but many probably didn’t know that Rob Ninkovich was an assistant coach for the Hawks this season as the team soared to the D1 title. There was never much fanfare or talk around Ninkovich helping out because he wasn’t there all the time, but helping young players was an opportunity he didn’t want to pass up…