Every Friday night during the fall, the Globe collects high school football results from all across Massachusetts.
In Week 5, Xaverian outlasted Central Catholic in a heavyweight tilt between Division 1 powerhouses. St. Mary’s remained unbeaten, firing on cylinders to defeat Cathedral. Weymouth secured its first win over Milton in 12 years, and Methuen flexed its muscles with a rivalry win against Andover.
Former University of New Hampshire quarterback Trevor Knight recorded his first career win as Dracut bested Boston Latin, 34-33. Mashpee outlasted Randolph, 26-21, after an improvised trick play put the Falcons ahead for good.
Billerica and Haverhill put on an all-offense thriller, as the Indians prevailed, 83-54. Yes, you read that final score correctly.
Read more from all of the action below.
See the Top 20 rankings entering Week 5 | Check out Saturday’s scores and schedules
St. Mary’s 38, Cathedral 12 –– A pick-six on the second play from scrimmage by Jake Peterson set the tone, and Tyler Guy accounted for three touchdowns as host St. Mary’s rolled Cathedral, 38-12, in a battle of Catholic Central unbeatens at Manning Field.
Guy hauled in touchdown passes of 9 and 22 yards from junior Yaniel Belliard, and the senior pounced on a fumble on the goal line for his third score. Defensively, the Spartans (4-0) recorded three sacks, including a safety from Adrian Lule, and two interceptions.
“Our defensive line had been struggling a bit early in the year,” Spartans coach Sean Driscoll said. “They really stepped it up this week in practice, and I sensed they were going to do good things.”
Check out more from Mike Puzzanghera here.
Weymouth 28, Milton 21 –– Following Michael Farrow’s second rushing touchdown of the game, Weymouth was in complete control, 28-7, with a shade over seven minutes left in the game. The game was all but over.
Milton, however, showed resiliency with its quick-strike offense and stretched the game to its final play.
With two seconds left in the game, Milton quarterback Patrick Collins dropped back to pass. The clock hit zero, and his desperation heave fell incomplete, Weymouth held on for a huge 28-21 Bay State Herget win — the Wildcats’ first win over Milton since 2012.
Methuen 38, Andover 10 –– After a hard-fought first half, Methuen left Andover in the dust during a dominant second half performance to secure a 37-10 road win Friday night at Lovely Field.
The Rangers got 137 rushing yards and four touchdowns from Shane Eason, a 91-yard touchdown burst from Josh Kwakye, and interceptions from Kwakye, Cristian Anziani, and Clefton Verdieu to pull away with 27 unanswered points after halftime.
“Our kids love this rivalry,” said Methuen coach Tom Ryan. “The last 10 years we’ve won six, [Andover has] won four, so that’s a rivalry. And for our defense to take over like that, it’s a little different.
Dracut 34, Boston Latin 33 –– First-year coach Trevor Knight said it has not been the storybook season Dracut’s players were hoping for.
The Middies were outmatched in a 44-6 loss to North Andover in Week 1. They turned the ball over a handful of times Week 2 against Nashoba Valley Tech and dropped a 47-14 decision. Last week, they came up short on an incomplete pass with 10 seconds to go in a 14-7 loss against Medfield, which transfer quarterback Evan Dunker took hard on himself.
“It was back-to-back weeks with this stuff,” said Knight. “What I’m most proud of [Dunker] for is he just continues to fight and doesn’t change his process in any way. He just keeps trusting the process, so I really like that from him. He’s resilient.”
Mashpee 26, Randolph 21 –– In some instances, the most impactful plays aren’t even in the playbook.
With his team trailing Randolph, 21-20, with less than two minutes remaining, Mashpee coach Matt Triveri called a timeout and drew up a halfback pass for a third-and-12 call at the Blue Devils’ 16-yard line.
His offense executed the trick play to perfection. Senior Ben Squarcia collected a pitch from junior quarterback DeAnjelo DeSena and rolled to his right before finding senior Maxx Smith uncovered at the back of the end zone.
Smith dropped to his knees and slid to reel in the go-ahead touchdown with 1:20 remaining, and Mashpee forced an incomplete pass on fourth down as time expired to hold on for a 26-21 victory in a South Shore Tobin thriller.
Check out Brad Joyal’s account of the action.
The Xaverian football team wasn’t about to let an unfathomable turnover undo a nearly complete game effort.
The second-ranked Hawks made one last defensive stand in the waning moments of the fourth quarter Friday to hold off No. 9 Central Catholic, 28-20, a Dave Chiavegato interception sealing the deal with 1:05 to play.
“Sometimes, you can’t win a game once, you’ve got to win it twice,” Xaverian coach Al Fornaro said.
After Ethan Jean and Jack Warren combined to stuff Central quarterback Caden Smith on fourth and 1 from the Xaverian 33, it appeared as though the Hawks (3-1) would need but a single first down to ice the game.
But Cameron Brosnihan had other ideas for the Raiders (2-3), stripping the rock from Xaverian tailback Vincent Busa on first down to give Central one last shot to pull even.
Not on the watch of the Hawks’ defense. Peter Matheos had a sack on second down, and following an incompletion on third, Chiavegato supplied the dagger with a pick deep in the secondary.
“They were opportunistic there, which they had to be,” Fornaro said of his defense. “I think it showed great resiliency.”
Busa had a monster game otherwise for the Hawks, rushing for 139 yards and two scores on 22 carries, in addition to forcing a fumble of his own on defense. Luke Bell and Dominic Funke had fumble recoveries for Xaverian.
Hawks quarterback Will Wood completed 6 of 10 passes for 105 yards and two touchdowns, a 41-yard strike to Christian McIntrye to open scoring in the first and a 7-yard flick to Will Benting to make it 28-20 with 6:48 left in regulation.
Barnstable 14, Dennis-Yarmouth 12 — In a 14-point first quarter, Dylan Hamilton connected with Kayden Fortes for an 81-yard score before Jayson Dyer’s 6-yard plunge secured a nonleague win for the No. 16 Red Hawks (5-0).
Billerica 83, Haverhill 54 — Senior Steven Gentile piled up seven touchdown runs, ran for over 300 yards, and threw a 10-yard scoring pass to Matty Gray as the Indians (2-2) survived a wild Merrimack Valley shootout.
Senior James Farrell had one passing touchdown and five rushing touchdowns for Haverhill (1-3). At the half, the score was, 42-34, Billerica.
“It was crazy, I have never been a part of a back-and-forth shootout like that,” said Billerica coach Duane Sigsbury. “It was almost like a dream. The fans definitely got their money’s worth. Their QB, [Farrell] was out of this world. Hats off to Haverhill and Coach [Rob] Pike. “The game was fun, but we’re disappointed we didn’t play defense as well as we normally do.”
The Indians are hoping to return to form with the next game at home against No. 17 Tewksbury (4-0).
Bishop Fenwick 40, Archbishop Williams 13 — Aidan Silva scored on a 30-yard rumble and a punt return for the Crusaders (4-0) in the Catholic Central victory. Dylan Patterulli also had two rushing touchdowns.
Blue Hills 36, South Shore Voc-Tech 12 — Junior Kanyinsola Olanrewaju rushed for touchdowns of 75, 20, and 10 yards and added a pair of two-point conversions and classmate Reinaldo Sepulveda added a pair of rushing scores for the Warriors (1-3).
Senior Brady Hofeman (74 yards rushing, 1 touchdown) and Dillon O’Brien (65-yard kickoff return touchdown) led the Vikings (1-3, 0-1) in the MAC Vocational Small.
Burlington 20, Wakefield 7 — Anthony Gerrior connected withi Ryan Ellis for a 55-yard touchdown and Chris O’Divin for a 6-yarder, before rushing in a 13-yard scamper for the Red Devils (4-0) in a Middlesex League win. Aiden Jones added a 43-yard carry to the house.
Chelmsford 25, North Andover 20 — Anthony Mauriello helped secure the first win of the season for the Lions (1-3) by tossing for 206 yards and two touchdowns on 13 completions. Jake Brooks had five catches for 89 yards and a touchdown reception and Dillon DuLong racked up 94 yards and a touchdown on 18 carries.
Danvers 14, Beverly 13 — Owen Shanbar scored from 1 and 3 yards out, recovered a fumble, and blocked Maverick Genest’s game-tying point-after attempt as the Falcons (2-3) earned a Northeastern North victory.
Dartmouth 34, Apponequet 30 — Senior Jackson Hart tossed a 66-yard touchdown pass to senior Markus Andrews, rushed for a pair of touchdowns, and added a two-point conversion for the Indians (4-1). Classmate Ray Gramlich added a pair of rushing scores in the nonleague win.
Senior Brody Joly had three rushing TDs, a 19-yard passing score to Colin Cyr (1 interception), and a pair of two-point conversions for Apponequet (0-4).
East Bridgewater 20, Rockland 14 — Senior Denis O’Donovan (2 interceptions) set up a 56-yard rushing touchdown for junior Austin Dewhurst and less than 1:46 later, senior Logan Williams had a 56-yard interception return for the Vikings (4-0, 1-0).
Senior Aidan Clancy rushed for 104 yards and put the game out of reach with a 12-yard rushing touchdown in the fourth quarter in the South Shore League Tobin Division win.
English High 14, East Boston 8 — Kamren DePeiza punching in a 9-yard touchdown and Ajhani Graham had a 39-yard scoring gallop in a 238-yard ground game performance for the Blue & Blue (2-3), whose offensive line dominated in a Boston City League matchup. Graham scored the winning touchdown with less than 3:30 left in the game.
Fairhaven 42, Seekonk 14 — The Justin Marques/Aaron Lague tandem combined for five rushing touchdowns for the Blue Devils (4-1) in the South Coast Gold win. Marques took 20 carries for 252 rushing yards and three scores (3, 5, 35 yards) and Lague added an additional 227 yards on 12 carries and two scores (36 and 48 yards).
Gloucester 35, Salem 14 — Jaylen Severino scored from 20, 68, and 32 yards out as the Fishermen (3-1) triumphed in a Northeastern South contest. Joe Allen added a 3-yard rushing TD, and Camryn Rodolosi scored from 41 yards on a QB keeper.
Governor’s Academy 36, Brooks 15 — Sophomore AJ Bly tossed three touchdowns, including a pair of 35-yard passes to senior Krystian Pothel, and scored on a 65-yard rush for Govs (2-1) in the Independent School League. Freshman Andrew Kiricoples was 8-of-11 passing for 158 yards and two touchdowns for Brooks (0-3).
Hingham 34, Plymouth North 21 — Ryan St. Croix (26 carries, 144 yards, 2 TDs) was a workhorse for the Harbormen (3-1) in the Patriot League win. Jake Varholak scored three rushing touchdowns on 13 carries, and Fin O’Brien had two interceptions and eight tackles.
Ipswich 28, Essex Tech 19 — Will Gromko tallied three touchdowns as the Tigers (1-3) earned a Cape Ann League win.
Lynnfield 28, Amesbury 12 — Senior Tyler Adamo (8-of-11 passing, 146 yards) had three touchdown passes to lift the Pioneers (3-1) to the Cape Ann League victory. Adamo surrounded classmate Jesse Dorman with targets and the wideout delivered, collecting two touchdown grabs and 60 receiving yards.
Masconomet 29, Peabody 7 — Quarterback Jack Fabiano rushed for touchdowns of 8, 1, and 24 yards and threw a 21-yard TD pass to Cal Weidman as the Chieftains (4-1) earned a Northeastern North victory.
Mashpee 26, Randolph 21 — Ben Squarcia hooked up with Maxx Smith on a 15-yard flea flicker for the fourth-quarter lead that the Falcons (3-1) did not relinquish in a South Shore victory. Squarcia also rushed for a 3-yard score, with DeAnjelo DeSena (1 yard) and Logan Willis (7 yard) adding touchdowns.
Medford 48, Somerville 12 — Justin Marino scored on bursts of 3, 66, 58, 13, and 2 yards and picked off a pass for a 55-yard TD in a road Greater Boston League win for the Mustangs (3-2) at Tufts University.
Natick 34, Wachusett 7 — Sam Hubbard put on a show, rushing for four scores in a nonleague win for the No. 11 Red Hawks (4-1).
Nauset 28, Nantucket 14 — Senior Joey Berardi returned a fumble for 3 yards, rushed for a 30-yard score, and added a 12-yard scoring catch from Brendan Peno to lead the Warriors (3-2) to the Cape & Islands win. He finished with 196 rushing yards on 21 carries and 44 receiving yards on 6 catches.
“In the second half, the offensive line came together. We threw effectively,” said coach Jesse Peno. “We relied on the run game with Joe running between the tackles and Brendan running, we wore them down. That was the positive from today.”
Brendan Peno (16 of 26 passing, 190 yards) also ran in a 10-yard score that gave Nauset a comfortable lead, as the defense held Nantucket scoreless across the second and third quarters.
“Our defense played well, played physical,” coach Peno said. “It was a quick turnaround from a shootout against Cohasset. We did well there, only allowed one touchdown on defense.”
Arann Hanlon had a 65-yard kickoff return to the end zone for Nantucket.
Needham 21, Walpole 10 — With just over a minute left in the third quarter, senior Aidan Williams (187 yards rushing) scampered for an 80-yard touchdown to put the No. 5 Rockets (5-0) ahead for good, 14-10. The senior back added a 4-yard rushing score in the fourth quarter of the Bay State Herget win, Needham’s first at Walpole since 2006.
North Quincy 28, Cohasset 21 — Mike Galligan and Tyler Cromwell connected on two touchdown passes, including the winner, for the Raiders (3-1) in a nonleague win. The North Quincy defense came up big with four interceptions (two each from Marques Rodrigues-Smith and Ryan Wirtz).
North Reading 13, Triton 10 — Quarterback Jason Berry tossed TD passes of 8 and 31 yards to lead the Hornets (4-0) to the Cape Ann League victory. With under a minute remaining, the Vikings drove to the North Reading 9-yard line behind the power running of Jayden Torres (over 100 yards), setting up Liam Friis for a game-tying field goal.
He had already connected from 42 yards in the first half. The snap, however, never reached the hands of the the Vikings’ holder, who scurried out of the pocket and dashed toward the end zone but was stuffed by a swarm of Hornets.
Norwell 28, Abington 7 — Jack Luccarelli scored three TDs for the Clippers (3-1) in the South Shore-Sullivan victory.
Old Colony 40, Southeastern 15 — Nick Fringuelli caught touchdown passes of 54 and 14 yards from Chase LaFountain for the Cougars (2-2) in the Mayflower Athletic Conference victory. Colin Monahan rushed for 97 yards and a touchdown on 16 carries, and Nathan Marden added 84 and a score on 10 rushes.
Quincy 22, Braintree 7 — Leo Steinberg scored from 48 and 7 yards out and tacked on a two-point conversion for the Presidents (2-2) in the nonleague win. Jayden Francois had the lone first-half score and an interception.
Scituate 42, Pembroke 0 — Brothers Lawson and Grayson Foley teamed up for five touchdowns for the Sailors (4-0) in a Patriot League victory. Jonny Donovan completed 10 of 11 passes for 138 yards and three touchdowns, and Willy Robinson had 138 yards and a score on eight carries.
Shawsheen 28, Wayland 0 — Senior quarterback Sid Tildsley scored on dashes of 1, 14, and 19 yards for the Rams (4-0) in the nonleague win. Zack Timmons punched in a 10-yard run and Jack Finn converted all four extra points.
St. John’s (Shrewsbury) 21, Hopkinton 0 — Senior quarterback Dylan DiPietro accounted for two scores, running for one and throwing for another, in a nonleague victory for the Pioneers (2-2).
Tewksbury 42, Lowell 7 — Vinny Ciancio threw touchdowns passes of 19 and 27 yards and scored on a 1-yard keeper in a Merrimack Valley Conference win for the No. 17 Redmen (4-0). Manny Mengata scampered in for a pair of 8-yard touchdown runs.
Waltham 42, Acton-Boxborough 6 — Austin Lucente rushed for three touchdowns and Noah Foy ran for a pair of scores and caught another as the Hawks (2-2) cruised to a Dual County League win.
Watertown 28, Wilmington 26 — Josiah Bowen snared a 75-yard touchdown reception in the third quarter on a tunnel screen from senior quarterback Gnai Concannon-Garvin and had a game-clinching interception late in the fourth quarter to lift the Raiders (2-1) to the Middlesex win.
Whittier 44, Lowell Catholic 0 — Sophomore Jeremiah Martinez scored on touchdown rushes of 12 and 23 yards and added a pair of two-point conversion rushes for the Wildcats (3-3) in the Commonwealth Athletic Conference victory over Lowell Catholic (2-2).
Mike Puzzanghera reported from Lynn. Graham Dietz, Henry Dinh-Price, Joe Eachus, Cam Kerry, Lenny Rowe, and AJ Traub contributed.