Austin Prep delivers 200th for Maradei

Surrounded by his victorious team, Austin Prep coach Bill Maradei hugged his two sons and held a green-and-white football that symbolized the achievement he had sought: 200 wins.

Austin Prep (8-3) blanked Savio Prep, 34-0, yesterday, and Maradei made history for the second time at East Boston Stadium. Maradei had earned his 100th victory as Dom Savio coach at the stadium on Thanksgiving Day in 1996, defeating Don Bosco.

Yesterday, he earned his 100th win as Austin Prep coach, bringing his career mark to 200-79-4.

''To do it against Savio, it's kind of special," said Maradei. ''It's better it happened here."

Maradei is the second coach in MIAA history to win 100 games at two schools, following the legendary Bill Broderick (304-68-43), who coached Salem and Haverhill.

''I got calls [from former players] last night," said Maradei. ''The nicest thing was they were thanking me for helping them with their lives. That made me feel great."

Austin Prep got on the scoreboard immediately after the kickoff, with a 76-yard run on the first play by Nathan Sherr, who had been sidelined for two weeks with a sprained ankle. Sherr (4 carries, 112 yards) also scored the Cougars' second touchdown, on a 26-yard run, followed by a 2-point rush by Steve DiTullio.

Joe Pfiefer ran in from 9 yards for the third touchdown, and Sherr's extra points made it 22-0 at the end of first quarter.

When Cougars quarterback Steve Boghos (135 yards passing) connected with Sherr in the second quarter for a 24-yard TD, Austin Prep had a 28-0 cushion, which it took into halftime.

Austin Prep came out strong in the third quarter as Boghos threw a 35-yard scoring pass to Dave Batchelor.

Savio came close to scoring late in the fourth quarter, but was halted at the 11-yard line, and the Cougars were able to control the ball the rest of the way.

Austin Prep's dominance allowed Maradei to play all four of his quarterbacks and three offensive lines. Getting everyone involved was one of the coach's goals.

''I really didn't think about it too much, but I know the kids were thinking about it," said Maradei.

Sherr recorded his 31st and 32d touchdowns of the season, and Boghos threw his 18th and 19th TD passes, both school records. With 16 2-point conversions, Sherr has 224 points, shattering his own mark of 188, which he posted last season.

Maradei was surrounded by family and friends after the victory, and he said he carried with him thoughts of his biggest fan, his mother, who died a few months ago.

''She wouldn't have come to this game," said Maradei, ''but she would have been waiting at home."

The only tough part of the victory for Maradei was that it came against Bill Snow, the Savio Prep coach and former Dom Savio standout. Snow played for Maradei during the milestone 1996 Thanksgiving game against Don Bosco.

''It was very hard and emotional," said Maradei. ''I love that school."