Victorious members of the St. Clement Anchormen (L to R): Captain John Posada, Alberto Lopez named game MVP and Jesus Gambaro.

The St. Clement Anchormen kept the St. Joseph’s Prep Phoenix from rising on Thanksgiving by stuffing them 27-8. It was the fifth straight Thanksgiving victory for the Anchormen, bringing their season record to 6-4.

On the first offensive play from scrimmage St. Clement senior halfback Alberto Lopez (Chelsea) ran 76 yards on a counter for the first score of the game. Senior Andrew Carvahlo (Somerville) added the extra point and the Anchormen were up 7-0 quickly.

On the next St. Joseph possession St. Clement junior linebacker Casey Baptiste (Medford) sacked St. Joe’s quarterback on the one yard line and forced a fourth down punt from the end zone.

St. Clement kick return specialist Junior Oyaronbi (Revere) fielded the punt at the 40 yard line and raced back to the end zone untouched for another Anchormen touchdown. Lopez, who is also the St. Clement safety, forced a fumble on the next Phoenix possession and Baptiste recovered the ball inside the St. Joes 30 yard line.

On a fourth down play senior Jamie Thompson (Everett) hit Lopez on a sideline pass for third St. Clement touchdown. Carvahlo added the extra point and the Anchormen were up 20-0 at the end of the first half.

In the second half the St. Clement running game controlled the clock. Senior tailback Jesus Gambaro (Malden) pounded the St Joe’s defense for 80 yards to make sure St. Joe’s did not have time to make a comeback.

On another fourth down play from inside the red zone, Thompson again went to the air, this time connecting with senior Tight End John Posada (Charlestown) for an over the shoulder catch on the corner of the end zone to give the fans a thrill. Carvahlo added the extra point and the Anchormen were well on their way to victory.

Backup quarterback Jack Hartnett (Medford) stepped in to relieve Thompson for the remainder of the game and guided the offense for the anchormen the rest of the way.

On Defense senior cornerback Rick Brathwaite (Chelsea) and sophomore cornerback Macallen Marcellin (Medford) kept the Phoenix passing game in check, while the St. Clement interior of Marty Rose, Paul Catalano, Connor Sullivan, Deron Hines, Marcus Carvahlo, and Freshmen Larnell Coleman kept the running game to a total of 47 yards for the game.

Late in the fourth quarter St. Joes scored on a one yard rush but it was too little too late as time ran out and the 27-8 victory celebration was on tap for the Anchormen.

Alberto Lopez was named game MVP after totaling 141 yards, 2 touchdowns, 7 tackles, and a forced fumble. “Alberto really stepped it up today. He really put an exclamation point on his high school career,” said Head Coach Colin Walsh.

St. Clement finished with six wins for the second straight year. “We are very proud of our team, and we have made significant steps toward winning another Super Bowl for our school” Said Athletic Director Ryan Murphy.

St. Clement now moves on the winter sports season where the school hosts basketball, hockey, and cheerleading.