The defending Div. 1 champions will enter the postseason as the team to beat.
Jimmy Nardone had two touchdowns as part of a rushing attack that totaled 232 yards as St. John’s Prep finished off an undefeated regular season with a 34-6 win over BC High on Saturday afternoon at Murphy Family Stadium.
The win gives St. John’s Prep a share of the Catholic Conference title and all but guarantees it the top overall seed in the Div. 1 State Tournament.
“We are focused on bigger things so we are going to try and carry some momentum into the playoffs,” Nardone said. “We’re going to try to play our best now that the playoffs are here.”
St. John’s Prep’s dominance throughout the game was impressive. It was coming off a statement win over rival Catholic Memorial but showed no signs of a letdown. Starting running back Dylan Aliberti was out with a lower body injury. Senior lineman Wells Gillet was also sidelined.
Defensively, the visitors were relentless. Highlighted by defensive end Mason McSweeney and linebacker John Dorggitis, the Prep held BC High to 54 yards of offense in the first half.
Deacon Robillard, meanwhile, connected with Gael Garcia for a seven-yard touchdown pass late in the opening quarter to put SJP up 7-0. They stretched the lead when an errant BC High snap went through the end zone for a safety to make it 9-0. With Aliberti sidelined, St. Pierre turned to Jeff Quigley. The junior back made an instant impact taking a handoff inside for a 34-yard touchdown and a 16-0 advantage.
“I thought we played tough and the defense was outstanding but I would like to see a more complete effort from our offense,” St. John’s Prep coach Brian St. Pierre said. “(BC High) could not run the football. They tried but that was not going to happen.”
Nardone proved useful in short yardage situations. The senior quarterback picked up a key first down on the first scoring drive, had a three-yard touchdown run in the third to make it 27-0, and then supplied the final score of the game with a 12-yard touchdown pass to Will Kent.
