With nationally-recruited quarterback Chris Vargas sidelined with an injury, one might’ve expected a run-heavy offense from St. John’s Prep Friday night.
Running back Maxwell Parent obliged. He carried 30 times for 355 yards and five touchdowns as the top-ranked Eagles (10-0) defeated No. 8 Leominster 48-32 at Glatz Field. Next up for St. John’s Prep is a semifinal showdown against No. 5 Central Catholic Friday at Burlington High (6 p.m.).
The Division 1 Round of 8 showdown started with a scare for The Prep. Leominster quarterback Osiris Lopez threw a 35-yard touchdown for the game’s first score (6-0).
After Eagles touchdowns from Parent and Jordan Toribio, Lopez answered with a 5-yard rushing score before throwing another touchdown late in the first half.
St. John’s Prep trailed 20-16 at halftime — a rarity for the fans in Danvers.
That said, the second half was the Parent show. With his four second-half touchdowns behind a stellar offensive line, the Eagles jumped ahead by 22 points (48-26).
CROSS COUNTRY
The Meet of Champions was held at Fort Devens Saturday with Division 1, 2, and 3 programs racing for statewide glory. In Division 1, St. John’s Prep was led by John (Jack) McIntosh, who delivered a time of 16:15.06 as the Eagles finished sixth with 231 points. The Peabody girls were led by a pair of sophomores: Lauren Foley (59th – 20:07) and Ella Braz (71st – 20:17). Mohamed Lhassouani didn’t compete in the boys’ race. The Fenwick girls finished ninth overall in Division 2, led by Marianna Kay (18th – 19:39.96).
BOYS SOCCER
No. 1 St. John’s Prep 4
No. 9 Cambridge Rindge & Latin 1
The Prep took care of business against Cambridge Rindge & Latin in the Division 1 state tournament Wednesday, Nov. 12.
“It feels great to be back in the Final Four. We had aspirations all season about getting to this point. We’re excited and we’re looking forward to it,” said Eagles’ coach Dave Crowell.
You could say scoring early is every coach’s dream, and the Eagles got on the board in the 13th minute thanks to Ryan King, who found the bottom corner (1-0).
Not too long after the opening goal, Prep’s Garrison Murphy doubled the lead. Murphy, a reliable scorer, has netted goals in every tournament game thus far.
“Garrison had a goal and an assist tonight. He’s now at four goals in three games so far this tournament,” Crowell said. “What separates him from most high school kids is that he’s so fast and strong on the ball. He’s able to dribble at speeds that most kids just don’t have the luxury or talent to do. He’s a great finisher. His goal tonight was from a ridiculous angle. He gave us the momentum we needed.”
The Prep entered halftime with a 2-0 lead.
In the second half, King scored his second goal moments after a Latin shot was saved by goalie Matt Droggitis.
Latin tucked one to make it 3-1, but James Minor made sure the game didn’t get any closer as he tucked away the fourth and final goal for the hosts.
