Copyright The Boston Globe
DANVERS — It looked like a familiar story was unfolding for St. John’s Prep early in Saturday’s Catholic Conference rivalry bout against Catholic Memorial. Trailing, 20-8, against a Knights offense producing explosive gains out of various formations, Prep hung tough and found its opportunity by exploiting a couple of miscues from the visitors late in the first half, turning the tide with four unanswered touchdowns in a 43-28 victory. “Our guys just don’t waver,” said Prep coach Brian St. Pierre, who earned his 100th win in his 12th season. “Belief is probably the biggest part of what we’re doing. They believe in what they do and what we ask of them, and it was a culture win. There’s nothing flashy. Our guys just grind and we just outlasted a really good opponent.” Advertisement St. John’s Prep (8-0, 4-0) will likely enter the state tournament as the top seed in Division 1 and Catholic Memorial (6-2, 2-2) will be the top seed in D2, with Prep and Xaverian slated to play for the Catholic Conference title on Thanksgiving. The No. 3 Knights scored touchdowns on their first three drives with Harvard-bound quarterback Kise Flannery starting 6 of 6 for 144 yards, as CM coach John DiBiaso dialed up routes to get his receivers open downfield. Sophomore receiver Riley Selvais (9 receptions, 130 yards, 2 TDs) made a few spectacular plays on Prep’s first drive and Maxwell Parent was able to punch in a 7-yard rushing touchdown to chip into the deficit. Prep grabbed the momentum by recovering a pop kick at the opposing 17-yard line and forcing a fumble in enemy territory, setting up passing touchdowns from Chris Vargas (20 for 29, 268 yards, 4 TDs) to Selvais and senior tight end Brody Gillingham. Vargas hurt his arm prior to his second score to Selvais, so St. Pierre called a creative counter screen to make it easier for his sophomore passer. Advertisement “This game was personal to me, so it felt really good to play well against them,” said Vargas, who started in a 34-0 loss at CM last fall. “The coaches trusted us throughout this game.” St. Pierre reminded his team this would be a “Players’ game.” While two of the best coaches in the state were in their proverbial bags with play-calls and adjustments, players were shining on both sides of the ball. Senior linebacker Bo Minogue came up with a big strip in the second quarter and Jordan Toribio recovered, Pierson Scala hauled in a 32-yard catch with one hand during one of Prep’s clock-killing drives in the second half, and Alex Turrisi made a diving interception to seal it. Once it got control, Prep limited CM to two possessions in the second half. “When it was 20-8 it wasn’t looking great,” St. Pierre said. “I thought we took over the game at [the end of the first half] and then you’re always holding your breath when you play such a good opponent, but we got some breaks today. The kids played really well and I just tip my cap to them.” Nate Weitzer can be reached at nweitzer7@gmail.com. Follow him on X @nweitzer7.
