BC High routs Brockton

Two top-10 teams in Eastern Mass. met under the lights at James Cotter Field last night, but only one team looked like it deserved to be called one of the best in the state as third-ranked BC High crushed No. 5 Brockton, 42-0.

Preston Cooper showed why he is one of the top running backs in the state with 124 yards and three touchdowns on 12 carries.

“When you don’t think there’s a hole, Preston makes one,’’ BC High coach Jon Bartlett said. “It’s great to have a back like that. The lines did well but Preston is one of those guys who can make the plays on his own.’’

Right away it seemed this would be a game Brockton would like to forget. If not for a 45-yard kickoff return by Jesse Monteiro - which was followed by a three-and-out - Brockton’s offense would not have reached Eagles’ territory in the first half. The Boxers finished the half with 11 total yards on 24 plays.

The Eagles’ defensive strategy was to render Brockton’s standout quarterback, Paul Mroz, ineffective. They did just that.

“We had good help over the top,’’ Bartlett said. “He likes to tuck it away and get to the outside, so I think we did a good job containing him.’’

The Eagles’ physical play put Mroz on his heels, and back, all night. He finished 2-for-15 passing with an interception and two fumbles.

To make matters worse for Brockton, the Eagles found a rhythm early. They opened the scoring by staying on the ground, a six-play, 40-yard drive that resulted in Cooper’s first touchdown, from just inside the 5-yard line. They would tack on another 21 points before the half on two Cooper touchdowns - including an explosive 41-yard run up the middle - and a Zach West fumble return of 25 yards.

But even with a 28-0 lead, the Eagles had too much respect for Brockton to let up.

“Brockton’s always a second-half team,’’ said Cooper. “So we had to pick it up, the intensity, and we did that . . . it went well for us.’’

The Eagles’ next score came with 7:27 left in the third quarter, on a 42-yard screen pass from Bartley Regan to Gordon McLeod.

On the Boxers’ ensuing possession, Mike McAuley intercepted Mroz. A 20-yard run by Skyler Evans, an 18-yard run by James Moynahan, and a 14-yard touchdown run by Evans put the Eagles on the board for the final time.

Bartlett is aware that BC High has a tough Catholic Conference schedule ahead. After the game, he told his team that it has more to work on and it needs to get better.

The Eagles looked ready last night.

Link to article: http://www.boston.com/sports/schools/football/articles/2011/09/10/bc_high_routs_brockton/