ADFC Game of the Week - #5 Xaverian 20 #2 St. John's Shrewsbury 16

     The questions can be put to rest.  There is no more need to wonder.  Every team in the GBL, Big Three, Catholic Conference, and Merrimack Valley Large with postseason aspirations can go back to losing sleep.  Xaverian is "back."  But if you ask me, they never left.
     The Hawks rode their defense, which again showed it can shut down an opponent that boasts an FBS commit.  Chris Tamasi, Kevin Ihlefeld and company held St. John's Shrewsbury to it's lowest offensive output of the year en route to a 20-16 win that re-affirmed the Hawks as one of the premier programs in the state. 
     Xaverian struck first.  After holding the Pioneers to a three-and-out on the games first drive, junior quarterback Chris Calvanese marched his team down the field, twice finding senior wide receiver Mike Muir for first downs.  Calvanese would hit 6'7 junior John Warner for an 8-yard touchdown to put Xaverian ahead 7-0.
     SJS would then wake up, first cutting the lead to 7-3 on 25-yard Richard Rodgers field goal.  An impressive pick and return by senior Mike Santoro set up the Pioneers with 1st and 10 from the Xaverian 27.  On the very next play, senior quarterback Dan Light found Rodgers for a touchdown that put the Pioneers up 9-7.      
     After forcing another Hawks' punt, the Pioneers were on the move yet again.  On 3rd and 15 from the Xaverian 17, Light was able to scramble for a 16 yard gain, setting up a first and goal from the one.  Light would finish off the drive with a one yard keeper, and just like that, SJS held a 16-7 lead with a little over four minutes to play in the game.  
     The rest of the game belonged to Xaverian.  Calvanese and senior running back Joe Colton picked up three first downs between them, and Calvanese was able to find Muir for a two yard score to cut the Pioneers' lead to 16-13.  
    The second boasted plenty of defensive fireworks.  On Xaverian's opening series, Rodgers was able to strip a ball carrier who seemed headed for pay-dirt.  Not to be outdone, Xaverian's Nick McDaniels would pick off a pass on the very next play, his return setting Xaverian up with first and goal from the 10.  Two plays later, Colton punched it in from five yards out to finish off the scoring.  SJS would threaten to take the lead late in the fourth with the ball inside the Xaverian 10, their fourth and goal attempt bounce of two different players hands before falling to the ground.   

St. John's Shrewsbury

• The Pioneers are a very good team, but they seemed to become too reliant on the pass late in the game.  Their offensive line did a pretty decent job handling the Xaverian rush, and John Vassar was able to find space a good amount of the time.  On one drive, Vassar was able to take two carries a combined 49 yards to set up first and goal from the Xaverian 9.  But after he was stuffed on second down, they twice went to the pass, resulting in them eventually turning it over on downs.  I strongly believe more offensive balance throughout the game may have yielded a different result.
• John Vassar intrigues me.  I'm not sure where he best fits in college, but he is most definitely a scholarship type player.  On offense, he isn't one of the fastest backs, but he is quick enough to find space, and his north-south style suits him well.  On defense, he does a good job tackling with his hips, and is an absolute monster when blitzing.  Four times he was able to get a hit on Calvanese, and each time he made the most of it.  
• Dan Light is fun to watch.  I don't think he is a quarterback at the next level, but he could most certainly be a very good linebacker or tight end.  Her plays with aggression, moves well, and does a good job holding onto the football.  Whoever signs this kid will have no shortage of options as to where to line him up.
• I don't get the "Richard Rodgers is a tight end" talk.  He is tall, has incredible ball skills, and runs decent enough routes, although he will need to put in a good amount of work in that department before taking the field for the Bears.  Aside from that, I didn't see the aggression or physicality from him that is demanded to be successful at the next level.  I think he gives a team maximum output working in the slot.

Xaverian

• I interviewed Chris Tamasi earlier this week because I project him to be the best player on this team at the next level, and he made me look good.  Tamasi was everywhere today.  His reaction time is even more impressive in person than it is on film.  He moves with more fluidity than I expected, and his nose for the ball is impressive.  If a NESCAC school ends up with him, they need to thank their lucky stars, because this kid is a Division 1 athlete.
• I love watching Joe Colton run the ball.  He has a violent and tenacious running style that fits perfectly with the physical tone the Hawks' offensive line sets.  What is most impressive about Colton is the way he uses his hands.  His stiff arm is devastating, and he has the ability to use his hands to shed arm tackles without letting them slow him by making contact with his body, an underrated trait in a power back.  There were times when his aggression seemed to shock Pioneer defenders, causing them to make tackles while getting pushed backwards.  He did a stand up job covering Rodgers for the better part of the day as well.  
• I said in our preview of Xaverian that the Pioneers had not seen anything like the Hawks defense, and Xaverian proved that with their goal line stand late in the fourth.  After Vassar broke off a big run, Xaverian was able to stop SJS cold on four straight plays, stuffing Vassar at the line of scrimmage, then causing Light to try and make plays while under pressure.  That stand shows that this is a championship caliber team.  Their confidence in each other is their biggest asset.
• Calvanese was forced to scramble around quite a bit today, but that was a result of either SJS bringing a heavy blitz, or good coverage down field.  The Xaverian offensive line did a fantastic job of protection, stymieing the SJS front line.  There were even times some Pioneer linemen were pancaked after firing off the ball.  This unit will be the key to Xaverian making it two state titles in a row.  If they can continue to neutralize their opponents pass rush, they will allow their play makers opportunities to make things happen.
• Mike Muir is someone to take note of.  I'm not sure if he is an outright scholarship kid right now, but the ability is there.  If he adds size, he will be well worth someone taking a flier on him.  Love his hands and the way he keeps plays alive by moving without the ball.  No Pioneer defensive back was able to single cover him.  Very fun to watch.