ATTLEBORO — A year ago, behind a massive offensive line and running back Nick Yanchuk, Bishop Feehan coach Bryan Pinabell chose to run, run, and run some more.
What a difference a year makes.
Behind sophomore quarterback Owen Mordas and a talented group of pass catchers, Pinabell went with his passing game in a 31-6 romp over Archbishop Williams on Saturday.
“Air Pinabell this year,” the Feehan coach joked after the game with a big grin on his face.
“It’s funny, in my 18 years now as a head coach, there’s a system,” Pinabell said. “I understand. As I’m getting older, I’m just taking the kids we got and trying to build a system that best exemplifies their talents. If that means we have to throw the ball, we throw the ball. If we run the ball, we run the ball. But you’ve got to gear your systems toward what you have. That’s what we have.”
The aerial assault proved explosive for the Shamrocks (3-1). Mordas completed 10 of 16 passes for 217 yards, four first-half touchdowns, and an interception in the second half that came well after this was decided. Jacob Ferrao caught three passes for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Devin Ferreira caught three passes for 44 yards and a touchdown.
“Last year we had Yanchuk and that O-line,” Mordas said. “There’s a lot of change this year with the team, and I think we’re adapting really well to that.”
He won’t get any argument from the Bishops (2-2), who were led by quarterback Joseph Schwartz (15 of 26 passing for 173 yards).
Feehan scored first in the first quarter when Mordas threw deep down the right sideline for a 47-yard touchdown to Ferrao. In the second quarter, Feehan doubled its lead to 14-0 when Mordas hit Finn McHale on a 20-yard touchdown.
Mordas added another with 4:58 left in the half when he hit Devin Ferreira with a 27-yard touchdown.
Ferrao struck one more time when he took a pass in the flat from Mordas, then weaved his way for a 51-yard touchdown as Feehan took the 28-0 lead into the break.
Austin Clemente was 4-for-4 on extra points, and booted a 37-yard field goal with room to spare in the third quarter.
Schwartz completed a 6-yard touchdown pass to Tommy McDonagh in the fourth when the game was on running clock.
“I’ll always say we can play better,” Pinabell said. “I’m trying to think big picture at the same time. We’re going week to week. I thought our defense did a good job in setting the edge, containing No. 4 (Schwartz). We didn’t give up any big plays, which is definitely a plus. I’m pretty happy with how we played defensively.”
