FOXBOROUGH — Not once, but twice did St. John’s Prep have a golden chance to get the ball back and drive downfield for the game-winning touchdown at Gillette Stadium Saturday night.
But as the clock ticked away and student sections roared, Xaverian’s offense had other plans.
Hawks’ quarterback Will Wood — clutch as ever — converted a third-down screen pass before taking one himself on fourth down in the final minutes. The right-handed gunslinger remained cool, calm, and collected as No. 3 Xaverian (11-2) captured the Division 1 Super Bowl 41-35 against top-ranked St. John’s Prep (11-2).
It was Xaverian’s third consecutive Super Bowl win and second in three years against its archrival. The 2023 edition of Prep-Xaverian also finished a six-point game.
Wood (11-of-16) stole the show, tossing five touchdowns and 345 yards. His five TDs tied Kyle Beatrice’s (Swampscott) all-time MIAA Super Bowl record. (Beatrice was 21-of-38 in the 2002 Super Bowl against North Attleborough.)
Speaking of records, Xaverian receiver Dave Chiavegato hauled in three of Woods’ touchdown passes to tie another Super Bowl record.
St. John’s, which last won the big game in 2022, nearly stole another after trailing by three scores in the fourth quarter. Quarterback Chris Vargas connected with wideout Ethan Stefanovich for the final two scores of the game, but some late first downs helped Xaverian kneel out the clock.
All in all, Xaverian’s 27-7 halftime cushion was too big a hole — no matter the size of Prep’s second-half shovel.
Marblehead native Riley Selvais (3 catches, 81 yards receiving) tied the game 7-7 when he caught a 48-yard touchdown pass in the opening quarter. Rising to the occasion as a sophomore, he also returned a second-half kick 80 yards to the house.
Jordan Toribio (87 yards rushing, TD) and Maxwell Parent (37 yards rushing) led Prep’s ground attack, while Vargas — back from injury — was 10-of-25 for 217 yards with three touchdowns and two interceptions.
Other than the two interceptions, you could say St. John’s played a clean game with just three penalties, 15 first downs, and 339 yards of offense. That said, the Eagles were 0-for-6 on third down and 0-for-2 on fourth.
The Prep (6-6 all-time in Super Bowls) took down No. 16 Framingham, No. 8 Leominster, and No. 5 Central Catholic in the state tournament. Xaverian (11-6 all-time in Super Bowls) handed St. John’s both of its losses (21-18 on Thanksgiving Day).
