Tarr's 4 touchdowns pace Fenwick victory

READING -- For Bishop Fenwick running back Bobby Tarr, the best touchdown yesterday was the one he didn't score.

After tying Austin Prep's Nathan Sherr for the league scoring lead with his fourth touchdown of the game, Tarr told coach David Woods to give the ball to another player as Bishop Fenwick made its final drive of the game.

Tarr ran for a school-record 380 yards on 32 carries as the Crusaders beat Austin Prep, 40-28.

The two premier running backs were tied with 210 points on the season, with the line of scrimmage the Austin Prep 1-yard line, and Bishop Fenwick leading, 34-20, and 5:59 left in the game. Tarr needed the touchdown to take the lead on Sherr, but instead, Tarr took a backseat, allowing teammate Michael Stocio to score.

"He gave the touchdown to Stocio, Bobby doesn't care about all that," said Woods. "That's just the type of kid he is."

Sherr then scored his third touchdown and ran for the conversion to boost his season total to 218 and claim the scoring title.

Bishop Fenwick (9-2) struck early with an opening onside kick, which Michael Grambardella snatched up for the Crusaders. Their first possession was unsuccessful, though, and they turned the ball over to Austin Prep (5-6).

The Cougars drove to the Bishop Fenwick 20-yard line but were halted, turning possession over to a prepared Crusader offensive line. After a few short-yardage downs, the Crusaders' blocking at the 36-yard line opened up the field for Tarr, who sprinted to the end zone for his first touchdown.

Quarterback John Squires pitched the ball to Nick Guido for the 2-point conversion, making the score 8-0 with 2:05 left in the first.

"The offensive line opened up huge holes, they deserve all the credit," said Tarr.

Austin Prep maintained possession going into the second quarter, starting at the 16-yard line. Sherr (34 carries for 160 yards) marched a few yards to bring the Cougars to the 4. Quarterback Steve Boghos (16 touchdown passes for the season) connected with Chris Burke for a 4-yard pass, bringing Austin Prep within 8-6.

"It's difficult to prepare the team for their passing attack," said Woods. "Their passing game gives Sherr so many opportunities."

Tarr then returned the kickoff 67 yards for his second touchdown, and Brendan Barrett's kick gave the Crusaders a 15-6 lead.

"I had to keep moving my legs, you got to keep fighting for those extra yards," said Tarr.

After returning the kickoff to its 28-yard line, Austin Prep turned a seven-minute drive into a 1-yard touchdown carry by Sherr, who also rushed for the conversion, making the score 15-14.

With 1:52 left in the half, Fenwick marched downfield, revisiting the end zone on a 3-yard carry by Tarr, giving the Crusaders a 21-14 lead to close out the half.

Tarr's opening efforts of the third quarter propelled the Crusaders to the Austin Prep 39-yard line. A false start against Fenwick pushed the ball back to the 44, but the extra yards were no match for Tarr as he ran into the end zone, making the score 28-14.

Sherr had his moment to shine with 3:18 left in the third quarter, catching a 23-yard touchdown pass to make the score 28-20.

"[Sherr] takes beatings and he gives out beatings," said Austin Prep coach Bill Maradei. "Without him, we would have been a different team."

The Crusaders didn't waste any time, returning the ball to the Austin Prep 46-yard line. Tarr's carries, made easier by the outstanding blocking of Fenwick's line, brought the ball to the 14. Dan Kennedy ran in another Fenwick touchdown, making the score 34-20.

"I wasn't comfortable unless we were up three touchdowns," said Woods.

Austin Prep's possession into the fourth quarter came up empty and the Crusaders took over. Stocio's 1-yard run made the score 40-20.

After the kickoff, Austin Prep started at its 36-yard line, and carries by Sherr and Boghos brought Austin Prep to its 47.

Sherr took in his last high school football moment the way Sherr would, sprinting 53 yards for a touchdown that made him the season scoring leader.

"Any coach would take that against [Sherr's statistics]," said Woods. "He's much like Bobby, just a humble, good kid."