Xaverian in full stride against Eagles

WESTWOOD -- Five players scored for Xaverian as the Hawks turned in one of their most impressive performances to date yesterday, excelling in all facets of the game and dominating BC High, 35-6. Zack Asack completed 11 of 15 passes for 164 yards and a pair of touchdowns and the Xaverian special teams chipped in with another 6 points to help the X-Men pull away after a scoreless first quarter.

"We were fired up today," said Xaverian coach Charlie Stevenson. "I think you could tell."

After a fumble ended their first drive, the Hawks scored touchdowns on their next three possessions to put 20 points between themselves and BC High.

A 66-yard drive early in the second quarter culminated with a 3-yard TD run from Michael Flanagan to give Xaverian a 6-0 lead, and when the defense held BC to a three and out, the punting units came on.

Ryan Cooney took the snap for BC and strode forward to release his kick, but Xaverian's John Tunney shot through the offensive line and blocked the punt. The ball caromed backward and Tunney picked it up at the 3 and made the short trip to the end zone.

"I just beat my guy inside," said Tunney, a senior. "Then I was able to get my hands up and get to the ball. That's my first touchdown ever."

The play gave Xaverian a 12-0 lead after a 2-point attempt failed.

After another three-play drive, the Eagles were forced to punt again. Xaverian took over near midfield, and 11 plays later, Brian McDonough rammed in from the 2 on fourth down for another touchdown. A successful 2-pointer made it 20-0, Xaverian.

"I think that was the best game I've seen from them," said BC High coach Jim Cotter.

It didn't end there. Xaverian punted on its first possession of the second half (the Hawks' only punt) but recovered a BC High fumble at the 50 and scored four plays later on a 26-yard Asack pass to Christopher Fox.

The next drive ended with Asack tossing a 7-yarder to Ed Sciaba to put the Hawks on top, 35-0.

"They're a good team," said Cotter. "[Asack]'s a heck of a player. They've got great team speed, but he makes them a teriffic team."

"Zack was on top of his game today," said Stevenson. "They were determined to take the running game away today and put it in Zack's hands."

The results were not so good for BC High, which scored its only points on a 1-yard run by David Bartmess with 26 seconds to play.

The win keeps Xaverian perfect in Catholic Conference play (2-0, 8-1 overall), while BC High drops to 1-1 in the league and 4-5 overall.