By Pete Warner, BDN Staff
Dimitry Coronel of Tabor Academy and Barry Webster of Lee Academy
have both given verbal commitments to accept basketball scholarships
from the University of Maine.
The verbals were reported on the NewEnglandRecruitingReport.com website.
UMaine head coach Ted Woodward is prohibited by NCAA rules from
commenting on a recruit until the school has received his signed
National Letter of Intent. The early signing period begins Nov. 9.
Coronel is a 6-foot-4 swing player from Boston who played his first
three years at East Boston High School before transferring to Tabor
Academy, in Marion, Mass., a year ago. There, he earned All-New England
Preparatory School Athletic Council Class A second-team recognition for
coach Chris Millette.
Coronel, who played last summer for the Metro Boston AAU team,
reportedly has the ability to shoot from 3-point range but also is an
accomplished one-on-one player who can take the ball to the basket.
NERR said Coronel made his decision after visiting the Orono campus
last weekend and watching the Black Bears go through practices.
Webster is a 6-10 post player from England who will further diversify UMaine’s international flavor.
Webster attended Burleigh Community College in Leicestershire, England, prior to coming to the U.S. to attend Lee Academy.
“Barry barely played basketball before he joined, and his improvement
has been meteoric,” Phil Gleadell, Burleigh’s head of physical
education, said last spring in a school newsletter about U.S.-bound
athletes.
Webster is a native of Coalville, Leiscestershire, England, and spoke about his opportunity in the same Burleigh CC publication.
“I travelled to the U.S. last summer (2010) with a team organized by
Guildford Heat coach Creon Raftopoulos to play in an AAU tournament in
Florida, and it was a great experience,” Webster said. “Now going there
full time is a dream come true.”
The participation of Coronel and Webster at UMaine is contingent upon
their acceptance by the university and compliance with NCAA
initial-eligibility guidelines.
FULL STORY: bangordailynews.com/2011/10/18/sports/colonel-webster-commit-to-umaine-men%E2%80%99s-basketball-program/
Monday, October 24, 2011
Everett takes down BC High
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But as Gilly DeSouza got the kick away for Everett, the flags hit the ground. The roughing the kicker call gave the ball back to the Crimson Tide with a first down.
After a holding call on first down gave Everett a first-and-20 at its 44, Jalen McRae hauled in a 64-yard touchdown pass from DiBiaso (15-of-29 passing, 246 yards, one interception) to put the Crimson Tide ahead by the final score, 35-21.
“There was a few plays, not just that [roughing the kicker],’’ BC High coach Jon Bartlett said. “There was a few plays that we hurt ourselves . . . there was a number of times that we shot ourselves in the foot.’’
For the most part, the Eagles (4-3) managed to shut down the Everett offense in the fourth quarter. The Crimson Tide managed only one first down in the two possessions after recovering a Gordon McLeod fumble on a punt return. But a fumble recovery by DeSouza late in the quarter and an unsportsmanlike conduct on the Eagles’ last possession helped Everett hold on.
“Yeah they held us in check, they covered well,’’ said Everett coach John DiBiaso. “They were all over our receivers But we still put 35 up.’’
In an attempt to keep the ball away from Eagles running back Preston Cooper, the Crimson Tide (7-0) opened with a short, high kick that caught BC High by surprise and was recovered by Everett’s Jalen Felix. Five plays later Vondell Langston (19 carries, 86 yards) scored on a 12-yard touchdown run.
“We weren’t really trying to recover it, we just weren’t going to kick it to Cooper,’’ coach DiBiaso said. “It worked out to our benefit because they dropped back and let it hit the ground.’’
The Eagles pulled even with a 72-yard touchdown pass from Bartley Regan (7-of-16 passing, 176 yards, two touchdowns) to Lincoln Collins, but the Crimson Tied came back with a seven-play, 74-yard drive. Langston punched it in from three yards out to give Everett the lead for good.
Everett extended its lead off of BC High turnovers. In the second quarter, pressure forced Bartley Regan out of the pocket and he tossed up a running pass that was intercepted by Felix, leading to a 2-yard DiBiaso touchdown run. On the next Eagles drive, Regan was intercepted by DeSouza, who returned it 58 yards to the Eagles’ 7. DiBiaso again ran in from 5 yards out to put Everett up, 28-7.
Everett opens up its Greater Boston League schedule Friday against Medford.
“It feels great to beat what I consider a great team,’’ coach DiBiaso said. “I’m very proud of the kids, how they responded, but in all honesty it is a glorified scrimmage because if we come out and we lose a GBL game we don’t go to the playoffs, no matter whether we beat BC High, Xaverian, St. John’s Prep, nobody cares if we don’t go to the playoffs So you can’t have a hiccup the rest of the way.’’
FULL STORY: boston.com/sports/schools/football/articles/2011/10/23/everett_takes_down_bc_high/
Everett 35, BC High 21
Eagles sunk by own mistakes, turnovers
EVERETT -When Everett quarterback Jonathan DiBiaso was dragged down in the backfield by BC High’s Luke Catarius on third-and-9 late in the third quarter, it was all but guaranteed the Eagles would get the ball back in decent field position with a chance to tie the game heading into the fourth quarter.But as Gilly DeSouza got the kick away for Everett, the flags hit the ground. The roughing the kicker call gave the ball back to the Crimson Tide with a first down.
After a holding call on first down gave Everett a first-and-20 at its 44, Jalen McRae hauled in a 64-yard touchdown pass from DiBiaso (15-of-29 passing, 246 yards, one interception) to put the Crimson Tide ahead by the final score, 35-21.
“There was a few plays, not just that [roughing the kicker],’’ BC High coach Jon Bartlett said. “There was a few plays that we hurt ourselves . . . there was a number of times that we shot ourselves in the foot.’’
For the most part, the Eagles (4-3) managed to shut down the Everett offense in the fourth quarter. The Crimson Tide managed only one first down in the two possessions after recovering a Gordon McLeod fumble on a punt return. But a fumble recovery by DeSouza late in the quarter and an unsportsmanlike conduct on the Eagles’ last possession helped Everett hold on.
“Yeah they held us in check, they covered well,’’ said Everett coach John DiBiaso. “They were all over our receivers But we still put 35 up.’’
In an attempt to keep the ball away from Eagles running back Preston Cooper, the Crimson Tide (7-0) opened with a short, high kick that caught BC High by surprise and was recovered by Everett’s Jalen Felix. Five plays later Vondell Langston (19 carries, 86 yards) scored on a 12-yard touchdown run.
“We weren’t really trying to recover it, we just weren’t going to kick it to Cooper,’’ coach DiBiaso said. “It worked out to our benefit because they dropped back and let it hit the ground.’’
The Eagles pulled even with a 72-yard touchdown pass from Bartley Regan (7-of-16 passing, 176 yards, two touchdowns) to Lincoln Collins, but the Crimson Tied came back with a seven-play, 74-yard drive. Langston punched it in from three yards out to give Everett the lead for good.
Everett extended its lead off of BC High turnovers. In the second quarter, pressure forced Bartley Regan out of the pocket and he tossed up a running pass that was intercepted by Felix, leading to a 2-yard DiBiaso touchdown run. On the next Eagles drive, Regan was intercepted by DeSouza, who returned it 58 yards to the Eagles’ 7. DiBiaso again ran in from 5 yards out to put Everett up, 28-7.
Everett opens up its Greater Boston League schedule Friday against Medford.
“It feels great to beat what I consider a great team,’’ coach DiBiaso said. “I’m very proud of the kids, how they responded, but in all honesty it is a glorified scrimmage because if we come out and we lose a GBL game we don’t go to the playoffs, no matter whether we beat BC High, Xaverian, St. John’s Prep, nobody cares if we don’t go to the playoffs So you can’t have a hiccup the rest of the way.’’
FULL STORY: boston.com/sports/schools/football/articles/2011/10/23/everett_takes_down_bc_high/
White carries Cards to nice City victory
Photo by Stuart Cahill
Isaiabrier White and Madison Park sent a message to Brighton with a convincing 36-14 victory yesterday in a crossover Boston City League contest at White Stadium.
“Just find holes and run through them,” said a humble White.
Like many of his teammates, White hardly ever sat as he played both offense and defense. He scored the first two touchdowns of the game to open up a 14-0 lead, and then put the game away in the third quarter with a 45-yard TD run that bruised and battered Bengals linemen.
“You try to play 100 percent on both sides of the ball, but it just happens that I played better on offense,” said White.
His play was exactly what Madison Park (4-1) needed to provide some distance from an explosive opponent in Brighton (3-3).
“He’s elusive,” said Madison Park coach Roosevelt Robinson. “You go one way and he goes the other.”
Cardinals quarterback Jamal Leary also threw for two touchdowns, connecting with receivers Dalvin Green and David Stewart. The 35-yard TD toss to Green gave MP a 22-0 lead with 4:43 left in the first half.
“It’s his first year playing quarterback,” said Roosevelt. “He’s taken his role very seriously and is throwing very well.”
Leary is becoming more comfortable in the pocket.
“I’ve been a receiver all my life . . . but you just have to keep your composure and play with the best of your ability,” said Leary.
Coming off a bye week, Madison Park put together a plan to try to contain Brighton senior quarterback Jonathan Marrero, who threw for a touchdown and also had an 85-yard TD reception from sophomore Jalen Apperwhite.
“We try to really get the guys to understand the formations and how they’re supposed to attack on defense,” said Roosevelt, “and we attack every formation.”
With a critical matchup at South Boston next week, this was a game Madison Park needed to assert itself with its physical style of play.
“The pass was tough for us today on the spread because you’re thinned out, but we overcame it,” said Roosevelt.
“We’ve got to work on a few things, but we came out pretty well.”
Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/high_school/football/view.bg?articleid=1375098
Eastie to honor Jermaine Wiggins and John Sousa
East Boston will retirey numbers of Jermaine Wiggins (18) and John Sousa (66) when the team hosts Boston English on Nov. 4. Headmaster Mike Rubin told the Herald logistics haven’t been worked out as to whether the ceremony will take place before the game or at halftime.
Wiggins was a two-time Boston City League All-Star (1992-93), before embarking on a collegiate career at Marshall and Georgia. He spent eight teams in the NFL as a member of the Jets, Patriots, Colts, Panthers, Vikings and Jaguars, earning a Super Bowl ring with the Patriots for the 2001 season.
Sousa starred at East Boston in the mid-1960s, captaining the 1968 squad. He spent 17 years as an assistant at Boston English before accepting the coaching job at his alma mater in 1995. The winningest coach in school history, Sousa spent 15 years on the Jets’ sidelines, winning 119 games and a Super Bowl title in 2004.
FULL STORY: bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/high_school/index.php/2011/10/23/eastie-to-honor-jermaine-wiggins-and-john-sousa/
Wednesday, October 19, 2011
Rondo raring to go
Celtics guard has kept busy
By Gary Washburn - Globe Staff
While the NBA has been in a lockout, Rajon Rondo has accomplished a lot. He rehabilitated his dislocated left elbow to full strength. He spent the past few months touring the country in marketing opportunities. And he continued his education at the University of Kentucky.
Yesterday, the Celtics point guard made an appearance at a Boston bookstore to sign magazine covers featuring his photo.
Rondo will soon become the face of the Celtics franchise - the youngest All-Star on a roster full of seasoned veterans - and he is ready to get started on perhaps one final championship run with the current roster.
“I hope there’s a season,’’ he said. “I’m looking forward to it and everyone around the league is, even the fans.
“It’s just an extended vacation as far as trying to continue to train and get better. It’s more time for me to work on my game, and that’s how I try to face it in the next couple of weeks or months or whatever we have.
“Right now my focus is to play with the Celtics.’’
The Celtics are half a team right now. Whenever the lockout ends, they will begin camp with seven signed players and two rookies. Obviously, team president Danny Ainge will have to bolster the roster. After last May’s playoff drubbing at the hands of the Miami Heat, Rondo is eager to see a retooled roster.
“It will be different makeup, a lot of different guys,’’ said Rondo, who said he is not considering signing overseas. “So a lot of new faces around the city, but we’ll try to get them accustomed to how we do things here in Boston and go for a championship.’’
Rondo made highlight reels with an acrobatic alley-oop pass to Denver rookie Kenneth Faried in a Kentucky all-star game last week, after making his first organized basketball appearance last weekend at the South Florida All-Star Classic. In that one, he was promptly booed by the Heat faithful at Florida International University in Miami.
“I had a fun time at the game, a lot of guys playing together,’’ he said. “It’s good competition. That’s what you look for in this type of time of the year.
“The elbow is fine. I have been playing in a lot of games and it hasn’t given me any problems yet.’’
Rondo has worked out feverishly at the University of Kentucky, and though he is not in true basketball shape because of a lack of a training camp, he is prepared for more extensive workouts when the lockout concludes.
Many of Rondo’s teammates are still smarting from the elimination by Miami, a series marred by Rondo’s freakish dislocated left elbow in Game 3. Remarkably, Rondo returned to that game and played in the final two of the series.
“I don’t try to say woulda, coulda - they beat us, 4-1, as simple as that,’’ he said. “I think it was all adrenaline to come back in the game where I hurt my elbow. The next game it wore off and I had to sit down a little bit.’’
Despite the recovery and lockout, Rondo said he has enjoyed his respite.
“This has been the best summer of my life, really,’’ he said. “Lockout or not, I’m still going to enjoy my life and do what I do best.’’
FULL STORY: http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2011/10/16/rajon_rondo_eager_to_get_celtics_back_together/
FULL STORY: http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2011/10/16/rajon_rondo_eager_to_get_celtics_back_together/
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Brianna Forde named new girls hoop coach at New Mission
New Mission reached into the annals of Boston City League lore in hiring Brianna Forde to take over the girls basketball program. She succeeds Greg Berry, who will move over to become assistant boys basketball coach to Cory McCarthy.Forde was one of the more decorated girls basketball players in city history. A four-year starter for John Rice, the 5-foot-9 guard averaged a double-double in leading the Bulldogs to four Boston City League championships and the Division 3 state title in 1999.
Forde went on to play for Barbara Stevens at Bentley. Upon graduation, she became UMass-Boston’s assistant woman’s basketball coach and Health Education and Wellness Specialist at UMass Boston. From 2000 to 2006, she served as a physical instructor for the Boston Celtics athletic camp, recruiting participants, designing sport related workshops and workout stations, managed the camp inventory, refereed and coached co-ed college bound athletes.
Friday, October 14, 2011
Chip off the old block
Danny Ventura - Boston Herald High School Insider
The son of former New England Patriot and NFL Hall of Famer Andre Tippett, Coby will play defensive back for the 8th-grade East 185-pounDanny Ventura - d weight limit team and will be honored with a jersey presentation during the homecoming football game at Sharon High School this Saturday at 1:40 p.m.
Coby is very athletic and has natural play-making ability. Tippett, a multi-sport athlete, is extremely fluid in pass coverage, and has great hips for a young athlete. His performance at FBU Boston had him walk away with youth MVP honors.” said Erik Richards National Eastbay Bowl Director
This January will be the fourth annual Eastbay Youth All-American Bowl. Pitting the nation’s top youth football players against one another in an all-star format, the Eastbay Youth All-American Bowl brings together the top youth talent in the nation. Tippett is one of just a handful who will be able to compete in this exclusive showcase.
The Eastbay Youth All-American Bowl consists of the U-15 USA-Canada Youth Bowl and three East vs. West all-star games, one for the top 40 7th graders with a 175-pound limit, one for the top 40 8th graders with a 185-pound limit and a third game featuring the top 40 8th graders with no weight limit.
Since its inception, many of the top players in the Bowl have received college interest and national attention from media outlets such as USA Today, Sports Illustrated and the New York Times. The Bowl week consists of practices, a skills competition, and break-out sessions with Hall of Famers, as well as current and former NFL stars and celebrities. The Youth All-Americans also get VIP access to the U.S. Army All-American Bowl and were honored during the game, which takes place the day before.
Several thousand youth all-stars were nominated for this elite honor. Athletes had to fill out a nomination form and submit a highlight tape. The selection committee, which consists of Football University’s regional directors and scouts, work year round with hundreds of local youth football coaches and commissioners who help identify top athletes.
For more information on the Eastbay Youth All-American Bowl and its related events, visit: www.footballuniversity.org or www.eastbay.com/eastbayyouthallamericanbowl. National sponsors of the Eastbay Youth All-American Bowl include Eastbay, adidas, Battle Sports Science – Tapout, Gatorade, Schutt Sports and Youth Football Coaches Association (YFBCA).
FULL STORY: http://www.bostonherald.com/blogs/sports/high_school/index.php/2011/10/13/chip-off-the-old-block-2/
Monday, October 3, 2011
Cathedral: High praise
Sigsbury has ’em undefeated
Duane Sigsbury earned Super Bowl rings as an offensive coordinator at both Woburn and Reading.
But when the opportunity to be head coach at Cathedral arose, Sigsbury packed his bags and traded in the Middlesex League for the Catholic Central Small.
The move has been a marriage made in heaven so far, as Cathedral has ripped off four straight wins to open the season. The closest call came Saturday night when upstart Pope John (Hyannis) gave the Panthers all they could handle before succumbing, 18-16, at Moakley Field.
“I’m having a blast with this,” Sigsbury said. “I’ve always wanted a chance to be the head man and I’m teaching at Cathedral, so when they opened the position, I went for it and got it.”
Sigsbury brought his beloved spread offense with him. Fortunately, he has a quarterback (Matt Owens) and a powerful running back (Geeavontie Griffith) to make things easier. What he didn’t bank on was Carlos Bermudez, a speedy 5-foot-6 guard from the basketball team, deciding to make a comeback to the gridiron after a two-year sabbatical.
“As soon as I got the job, he came up to me and said he wanted to play,” Sigsbury said. “He’s not the biggest kid, but pound for pound, he’s as tough as they come.”
Griffith is another player who doesn’t lack for grit. Despite a 102-degree fever last Saturday, Griffith battled his way to 240 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
“I tell everyone who asks about them that they are every bit as good as the kids I coached in the Middlesex League,” Sigsbury said. “I’m not going to say they’re as good as (former Woburn great) Mike McLaughlin, but I would put them up there with the Tommy Harts, the Tino Perrinas and the Ryan Pollocks.”
While the offense has generated the early season headlines, Sigsbury went out of his way to laud the play of his defense. Linebackers Sage Philippe and Rajdel Francois are the keys to his 4-4 defense, along with Derek Welcome.
“The whole thing has been a great experience,” Sigsbury said. “We have a bunch of kids who work very hard every single day and they want to get better. It’s nice to see them work like that and see the rewards.”
A loss to all
Saddened to learn recently of the passing of Al DiTullio. According to various reports from friends and local media, DiTullio, 48, suffered complications from gall bladder surgery.
A longtime fixture on the local high school scene, DiTullio spent nearly 25 years as a broadcaster and sideline reporter in Watertown and Everett.
“I’ve known Al for 30 years going back to my days at St. Patrick’s,” said Everett coach John DiBiaso. “He was a good guy who really cared about the high school kids. It’s just very sad.”
Sweet 16
1. EVERETT (4-0): The race is on for the all-time state TD passing record and Jonathan DiBiaso intends to be a part of it.
2. DUXBURY (4-0): Handled its biggest league challenge without too much difficulty.
3. XAVERIAN (4-0): Wonder if Austin DeCarr throws a football harder than he throws a baseball?
4. BC HIGH (2-2): The good news is the rest of the competition is in-state.
5. CHELMSFORD (3-1): Someone had to pay for the disappointing effort against BC High a week earlier.
6. LINCOLN-SUDBURY (4-0): Showing some diversity on offense these days.
7. BRIDGEWATER-RAYNHAM (3-1): Pushed a bit by New Bedford.
8. CATHOLIC MEMORIAL (2-1): Now that’s what people expected to see.
9. CONCORD-CARLISLE (4-0): The DCL crossover game with Lincoln-Sudbury in November is gonna be fun.
10. DENNIS-YARMOUTH (4-0): Dolphins showed they could run the ball if needed last week.
11. MANSFIELD (3-1): A bounce or two either way and the Hornets could very well be 0-4 right now.
12. NEEDHAM (3-1): It didn’t take long for a certain bandwagon specialist to shoot off an email after the upset win over Weymouth.
13. ANDOVER (3-1): Nice bounce back after the Tewksbury loss.
14. WEYMOUTH (3-1): Wildcats now find themselves in a position of scoreboard watching after the loss to Needham.
15. WALPOLE (4-0): Didn’t want to hear Pete Wall yelling at me if we didn’t have the Rebels in here.
16. NORTH ANDOVER (3-1): Brandon Walsh can throw it and he can run with it.
Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/high_school/football/view.bg?articleid=1370517
By Dan Ventura / Sweet 16 | Monday, October 3, 2011
But when the opportunity to be head coach at Cathedral arose, Sigsbury packed his bags and traded in the Middlesex League for the Catholic Central Small.
The move has been a marriage made in heaven so far, as Cathedral has ripped off four straight wins to open the season. The closest call came Saturday night when upstart Pope John (Hyannis) gave the Panthers all they could handle before succumbing, 18-16, at Moakley Field.
“I’m having a blast with this,” Sigsbury said. “I’ve always wanted a chance to be the head man and I’m teaching at Cathedral, so when they opened the position, I went for it and got it.”
Sigsbury brought his beloved spread offense with him. Fortunately, he has a quarterback (Matt Owens) and a powerful running back (Geeavontie Griffith) to make things easier. What he didn’t bank on was Carlos Bermudez, a speedy 5-foot-6 guard from the basketball team, deciding to make a comeback to the gridiron after a two-year sabbatical.
“As soon as I got the job, he came up to me and said he wanted to play,” Sigsbury said. “He’s not the biggest kid, but pound for pound, he’s as tough as they come.”
Griffith is another player who doesn’t lack for grit. Despite a 102-degree fever last Saturday, Griffith battled his way to 240 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
“I tell everyone who asks about them that they are every bit as good as the kids I coached in the Middlesex League,” Sigsbury said. “I’m not going to say they’re as good as (former Woburn great) Mike McLaughlin, but I would put them up there with the Tommy Harts, the Tino Perrinas and the Ryan Pollocks.”
While the offense has generated the early season headlines, Sigsbury went out of his way to laud the play of his defense. Linebackers Sage Philippe and Rajdel Francois are the keys to his 4-4 defense, along with Derek Welcome.
“The whole thing has been a great experience,” Sigsbury said. “We have a bunch of kids who work very hard every single day and they want to get better. It’s nice to see them work like that and see the rewards.”
A loss to all
Saddened to learn recently of the passing of Al DiTullio. According to various reports from friends and local media, DiTullio, 48, suffered complications from gall bladder surgery.
A longtime fixture on the local high school scene, DiTullio spent nearly 25 years as a broadcaster and sideline reporter in Watertown and Everett.
“I’ve known Al for 30 years going back to my days at St. Patrick’s,” said Everett coach John DiBiaso. “He was a good guy who really cared about the high school kids. It’s just very sad.”
Sweet 16
1. EVERETT (4-0): The race is on for the all-time state TD passing record and Jonathan DiBiaso intends to be a part of it.
2. DUXBURY (4-0): Handled its biggest league challenge without too much difficulty.
3. XAVERIAN (4-0): Wonder if Austin DeCarr throws a football harder than he throws a baseball?
4. BC HIGH (2-2): The good news is the rest of the competition is in-state.
5. CHELMSFORD (3-1): Someone had to pay for the disappointing effort against BC High a week earlier.
6. LINCOLN-SUDBURY (4-0): Showing some diversity on offense these days.
7. BRIDGEWATER-RAYNHAM (3-1): Pushed a bit by New Bedford.
8. CATHOLIC MEMORIAL (2-1): Now that’s what people expected to see.
9. CONCORD-CARLISLE (4-0): The DCL crossover game with Lincoln-Sudbury in November is gonna be fun.
10. DENNIS-YARMOUTH (4-0): Dolphins showed they could run the ball if needed last week.
11. MANSFIELD (3-1): A bounce or two either way and the Hornets could very well be 0-4 right now.
12. NEEDHAM (3-1): It didn’t take long for a certain bandwagon specialist to shoot off an email after the upset win over Weymouth.
13. ANDOVER (3-1): Nice bounce back after the Tewksbury loss.
14. WEYMOUTH (3-1): Wildcats now find themselves in a position of scoreboard watching after the loss to Needham.
15. WALPOLE (4-0): Didn’t want to hear Pete Wall yelling at me if we didn’t have the Rebels in here.
16. NORTH ANDOVER (3-1): Brandon Walsh can throw it and he can run with it.
Article URL: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/high_school/football/view.bg?articleid=1370517
On a roll for Blue Hills
Burton felling foes, records
Blue Hills running back Vincent Burton is looking beyond school rushing records to another Super Bowl appearance. (Barry Chin/Globe Staff)
Globe Correspondent
While many eyes in the high school football world are focusing on players such as Everett’s Jonathan DiBiaso, as he chases Tom Colombo’s coveted state passing touchdowns record, or BC High’s Preston Cooper, as he leads the charge for a resurgent Eagles team, other spectators have their sights on a Division 4A team and its prolific, young runner, Vincent Burton.
Burton, the Globe’s Division 4 Player of the Year last season, ran for 1,549 yards a year ago for Blue Hills, scoring 30 touchdowns and 202 points, for first place in the division by far (runner-up Laquane Bradham of West Roxbury had 12 touchdowns and 88 points).
Burton, the Globe’s Division 4 Player of the Year last season, ran for 1,549 yards a year ago for Blue Hills, scoring 30 touchdowns and 202 points, for first place in the division by far (runner-up Laquane Bradham of West Roxbury had 12 touchdowns and 88 points).
His strong play last season willed his team to its first Super Bowl appearance since 1984. That was the year running back Richard Sass scored a school-record 32 touchdowns to go along with 1,842 yards. Sass reached that mark as a finely tuned senior; Burton missed that mark by two touchdowns as a sophomore. In fact, Burton became the youngest player in school history to rush for more than 1,000 yards in a season. Not even Richard Fahey, who holds the school’s all-time season rushing record with 2,032 yards in 1975, hit the 1,000-yard mark at such a young age.
Blue Hills coach Ed Catabia, who has coached the Warriors since 1980 and watched Sass set the record in 1984, sees striking similarities between the running backs.
“Sass was one of the toughest runners I’ve ever coached at Blue Hills. He was the type to run you over and lay you out if you were in front of him - no matter what,’’ said Catabia, who believes a hard-nosed approach is also Burton’s strength.
“Burton and [Sass] are the same exact runners. [Burton] never complains about getting hit, who’s hitting him, or how hard he has to go through the line, and that’s his strength when running the ball. “He is big and powerful and will flat out knock you down if you are in his way.’’
Burton’s toughness is more ingrained than something he has learned.
“I never get scared [running the ball],’’ he said. “One thing about me when I run is I never try to evade you. If you’re going to hit me, I’m going to hit you back. I never just stand up and let someone hit me. I just hit them first.’’
This season he has already accumulated 531 yards (5.3 per carry) and 11 touchdowns in just three games for the 3-0 Warriors.
Burton’s surge has attracted quite a following.
His former Randolph-Holbrook Pop Warner coach Bob Sass, the brother of current record holder Richard, has been to Blue Hills’s early games and expects this will be the season his brother’s long-standing record is broken.
“It feels really good to have a former player doing so well at this level,’’ said Bob Sass. “If it were going to be anyone to break my brother’s record, who is dear to me, I’d want for it to be a kid as good as Burton.
“At this rate he’s going to score 100 touchdowns for his career. The entire Sass family is rooting for him.’’ Sass also coached last year’s EMass-leading scorer Blaise Branch of Cardinal Spellman the same year he had Burton.
Burton’s teammates - most notably the offensive line - have gotten much praise as they pave the way for their featured back.
“[Vincent’s running] makes me feel like a bigger man,’’ said right tackle Nick Catromboni, who has played with Burton since their Pop Warner days. “It puts me in the spotlight too. He’s a great runner and I’m so happy to be blocking for him.’’
Burton, after Blue Hills’s first three wins, including yesterday’s 40-0 victory over North Shore, believes his team is on the right track.
“We’re good now, but just keep getting better and better every week it seems. If we keep playing like this, maybe we will have another Super Bowl appearance,’’ he said.
The only question now is not whether Burton can lead his team to another Super Bowl berth, or if he can break Richard Sass’s record, but whether he can finally boost the Warriors toward what the other legends, Fahey and Sass couldn’t achieve - a Super Bowl championship.
Full Story: http://www.boston.com/sports/schools/football/articles/2011/09/25/on_a_roll_for_blue_hills/
Full Story: http://www.boston.com/sports/schools/football/articles/2011/09/25/on_a_roll_for_blue_hills/
Dragons coast into first place
Fleet-footed Latin Academy quarterback Kyle Dance easily runs past a pair of Dorchester defenders for a touchdown. (Winslow Townson/For The Globe)
Globe Correspondent
Latin Academy is officially in first place.
Its 34-16 triumph over Dorchester at White Stadium yesterday in the Boston South League opener put the Dragons atop the league for the first time in seven years, according to coach Rocco Zizza.
Its 34-16 triumph over Dorchester at White Stadium yesterday in the Boston South League opener put the Dragons atop the league for the first time in seven years, according to coach Rocco Zizza.
“It’s been a long time since we’ve been in first place in October,’’ said Zizza, whose team missed out on the postseason with a 5-5 record in 2010.
“We’re a lot more physical this year and it’s going a long way for us.’’
The victory extended Latin Academy’s win streak to three games, and earned the Dragons (3-1) their third consecutive Mason Cup, given to the winner of the game between the Dorchester rivals since 2008. The Cup is named in honor of Hall of Fame coach Joseph Mason, who coached at Dorchester for 37 years.
The Dragons’ offense had its best game of the season, taking the pressure off the defense, which had given up only 6 points since a season-opening 27-6 setback at Millis. The defense did contribute a goal-line stand to preserve a 20-8 halftime lead.
Sophomore quarterback Kyle Dance put up his best numbers of the year, having a hand in three touchdowns (two passing, one rushing) and running for 155 yards on 10 carries.
“We are still a power team rushing the ball, but we now have a QB who can run the ball, and that really opens up our offensive playbook and today it really showed,’’ said Zizza.
Dance showed off his passing touch, completing all seven of his attempts for 91 yards, including a game-sealing 67-yard strike to sophomore Devaughn Riley in the fourth quarter.
“[Dance] runs hard and is very athletic. Every time he carries the ball, it’s for positive yards,’’ said Zizza. “He can really make it happen when he scrambles.’’
Earnest Kellough, the team’s leading rusher, had 175 yards on 13 carries and two TDs.
Senior Elijah Smith threw a touchdown pass to Kadeem Collins at the start of the second quarter to give Dorchester (1-2) an 8-7 lead. Dorchester’s other score came when Smith ran it in from 3 yards out with 34 seconds left in the game.
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