Stepinac Trounces Mansfield, 42-7, in Football Home Opener
The Mansfield High School football team visited Stepinac High School amidst much hype Saturday, as the Green Hornets are the reigning Division II Massachusetts State Champions and have won the Massachusetts D-II State Title four consecutive years dating back to 2010. Nonetheless, the championship lineage of the Green Hornets did not seem to faze the Crusaders, as Stepinac thrashed Mansfield, 42-7, in their 2014 Home Opener on Saturday at Stepinac. “There was a lot of tension over the past couple of days, they were talking on tweeter a little bit, so it felt good to come out and beat them like we did,” said Crusaders wide receiver Giancarlo Furio, who had two touchdown receptions in the game.
Stepinac’s defense began the game as an aggressive unit and did not let up for the entire four quarters. Captain and corner back Demarcus Miller sparked the defense at the start of the first quarter. Miller deflected Mansfield quarterback Matt Carafa’s pass in the backfield for a loss of yardage. Then a minute later he recovered a fumble on a botched punt attempt, which led to Stepinac’s first touchdown.
“I feel the defense played very strong today. We came into the game as one and just stopped them. That was our goal, stop them, stop them,” commented Miller. Junior corner back T.J. Morrison had two interceptions on the day and senior Gavin Heslop at the other corner ended the first half on an interception.
Mansfield’s only score in the game came at 5:57 of the third quarter on a double-pass play. Green Hornets quarterback Carafa threw to freshman Hunter Ferreira in the backfield, who passed to wide receiver Matt Hogan for the 15-yard TD.
Running back Daniel Negron began the scoring for the Crusaders in the first quarter with a one-yard run and finished the scoring with a three-yard dash in the fourth quarter for Stepinac’s seventh touchdown of the game. “Running behind David Harris and Dwayne Scott on the left side of the offensive line is very easy for a running back to do,” complimented Negron.
With Harris at 6’ 4” and 280 pounds and Scott standing at 6’ 2” and weighing 295 pounds, Negron’s comment is very understandable. “This is one of the biggest offensive lines we have had in quite some time, once they get going there is no stopping them. They did a good job,” said Crusaders Head Coach Mike O’Donnell.
However, both of Negron’s TDs were created by turnovers by the defense. Miller’s fumble recovery in the first quarter and Heslop sacking Mansfield’s QB in the backfield forcing a fumble that was recovered by defensive tackle Terry McDonald-Preston. “We created six turnovers and I think that was the difference in the game,” said O’Donnell.
Stepinac’s Navy bound quarterback Brendon Coleman was 6 for 11 passing for 116 yards and two touchdowns. “I would rate the season opener as a nine (out of ten),” evaluated Coleman. “I thought we passed really well, guys were making plays all over the ball today. Giancarlo (Furio) had a great game and he showed why he is considered one of the best,” acknowledged Coleman.
Stepinac’s senior kicker Matt Tierney was attending a wedding in Ireland and could not make the game, which gave an opportunity for junior kicker Liam Butler to show his leg. Butler kicked seven straight extra points and was certainly the surprise player of the game. “I played soccer when I was younger and kicking has always come natural to me. Matt is the star kicker on this team but I think I did all right,” said Butler.
Therefore, Stepinac stood proud against the pride of the Hockomock League in Massachusetts. After the game O’Donnell expressed to his team. “You represented New York State and the Catholic High School Athletic Association well. But most importantly you represented yourselves well.”
The Crusaders will next be in action against Monroe-Woodbury High School, at Stepinac, on Saturday, Sept.13, at 3 p.m.
Former Crusaders Basketball Coach Tim Philp Assistant at Cardinal Hayes
Former Stepinac Head Basketball Coach Tim Philp has taken a job as Assistant Basketball Coach for Cardinal Hayes High School. Philp was the Head Coach of the Crusaders for nine seasons, 2005-’13, until he resigned to spend more time with his family.
Under Philp, the Crusaders won the CHSAA A Championship in 2010. In 2013, he led the Crusaders to their first CHSAA AA Semifinal since 1986. Philp was honored as the CHSAA AA Coach of the Year in 2013 and CHSAA A Coach of the Year in 2010. Philp will work under Hayes Head Coach Joe Lods who leads the Cardinals.
