Offense can’t cross midfield against tough Xaverian defense

By Jack Nicas

The Somerville offense failed to heat up on Friday’s frigid fall night, falling to Xaverian Brothers 32-0. The loss evens the Highlanders’ record to 2-2.

‚ÄúThe kids never quit,‚Äù said Somerville head coach Harry Marchetti. ‚ÄúThey played hard, sticking it out in their own end. I take a lot of pride in the fact that they didn’t give up.‚Äù

The Highlanders were plagued with poor field position for the entire game. Their best starting position came in their tenth and final series at their own 34-yard line. They otherwise were trapped in their own territory, starting at times from their own one, 11, and 16-yard lines. Not once in the game did the Xaverian defense have to defend its half of the field.

‚ÄúYou can’t be in your own end the whole game,‚Äù Marchetti said. ‚ÄúIt sounds crazy when you give up 32 points, but I thought our defense was exceptional considering we were on our side of the field all game.‚Äù

Junior linebackers Jerry Alphonse, Erick Flores, and senior Kervin Edouard became familiar with the Xaverian backs, recording eight, seven, and six tackles respectively.

Alphonse said he always knows who the ball carrier is: “I see everything.”

Xaverian Brothers jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter. After driving 46 yards on its first possession, quarterback Alex Phelan ran four yards for the score on fourth and goal.

A long punt return to the Somerville 21-yard line set up Xaverian’s next touchdown. Phelan tossed a screen pass to senior running back Matt Guay, which he at first bobbled. He eventually gained control of the ball and ran through Somerville defensive backs Jason Messina and Brandon O’Reagan for the 6-yard score, making it 13-0.

“It looked like a tough battle, a close game at 13-0,” Marchetti said, “but then you have to throw sometime.”

Somerville went to the air on their next possession. Senior quarterback Mike Stanton found running back David Vazquez-Guerra streaking across the middle for the offense’s third first down of the game. But two plays later, Xaverian cornerback Anthony Franciosi intercepted Stanton’s tipped pass and brought it 25 yards for the game’s third touchdown, closing out the first half at 20-0.

With Xaverian receiving to begin the second half, Somerville’s defense was back on the field. After a 21-yard carry by sophomore running back Joseph Colton and a 15-yard personal foul on Somerville, Xaverian was threatening again inside the Somerville 10-yard line. But on third and two, sophomore safety Josh Scarry tackled Xaverian running back Anthony Knight for a six-yard loss.

Xaverian head coach Charlie Stevenson decided to go for it on fourth and eight, but Scarry was there again, knocking down Phelan’s pass in the end zone.

After the goal-line stand, the Somerville crowd was revived, rooting for a comeback drive. However, Somerville fumbled on the first play, handing the ball right back to Xaverian on the seven-yard line.

But the Somerville defense would not give up. Alphonse stuffed Xaverian running back Knight on the first play and Phelan was unable to complete a pass in the end zone on the second. On third and goal, Vazquez-Guerra, now lined up at cornerback, stepped in front of Phelan’s pass for an interception and second consecutive goal-line stand.

“I just sat there,” said Vazquez-Guerra, who also blocked a kick in the game. “I knew exactly where [Phelan] was going to throw it.”

Somerville’s poor field position at their own one-yard line forced another three-and-out and provided Xaverian with another short trip for a score. After a 33-yard pass from Phelan to senior captain Robert Crossen, Xaverian needed only a yard for its fourth touchdown. Phelan wasted no time; he connected with senior tight end Craig Parsons for the one-yard score on the next play.

Down 26-0, Somerville was forced to go to the air. The team’s next three possessions ended with interceptions. Sophomore quarterback Robert Pratt, making his varsity football debut, threw two of those picks.

‚ÄúWhen you’re forced to pass, it’s a whole different story,‚Äù Marchetti said. ‚ÄúYou got to pass when you want to, not when you’re forced to.‚Äù

However, he said he was impressed with Pratt’s performance: ‚ÄúHe works hard at practice; he’s another sophomore ready to step in.‚Äù Pratt threw an 18-yard completion to Vazquez-Guerra on his first play.

Somerville has two more non-league games before beginning Greater Boston League play. The team travels to Stoughton Friday and then faces Reading next week on Friday, Oct. 17.

Despite the lopsided loss, Marchetti said the game was not a complete failure. It’s important the team prepares itself for its GBL opponents, as non-league results have no bearing on league standings, he said.

With non-league matches to begin the season, Marchetti said, ‚Äúwe have a bit of luxury-you can’t teach experience. And there’s a lot of positive things happening here.‚Äù