Brockton stuns top-ranked St. John's

BROCKTON - Brockton, coming off a humbling loss, wasn't expected to trouble St. John's Prep, which had just soared to No. 1.

But the Boxers made sure the Eagles' stay at the top would be short, defeating Prep, 28-13, last night at Rocky Marciano Stadium.

"One of the gutsiest performances I've ever seen," boasted coach Peter Colombo, whose squad was coming off a 34-6 thrashing at the hands of Xaverian. "I'm going to believe in this team we have."

Brockton broke a 7-7 tie before the end of the first half and didn't look back. The Boxers converted two third-down plays (they were 5 of 9 on the night) on the legs of running back Khalil James-Offley (81 yards on 21 carries), on a drive that drained the clock.

On fourth and 1 on St. John's 12, quarterback Sam Previte muscled through the line for 2 yards, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Soon after, James-Offley took a handoff into the heart of the Eagles' defense for a 2-yard touchdown, giving the Boxers the lead.

The Eagles had a miserable third quarter. Facing third and 10 on its first possession, Greg Donahue was sacked by lineman Chuks Aduba, forcing a punt. On their next possession, the Eagles turned the ball over deep in its territory. Running back George Sessoms, coming off a three-touchdown performance in Prep's upset of Everett Monday, was stripped of the ball and sophomore defender Brien Massie recovered. The fumble led to a 13-yard touchdown run by Jamal Johnson and a 21-7 Brockton lead.

The lead was extended to 28-7 after Donahue was intercepted by Marquis Weaver, who returned the ball to St. John's 3. On the next play, Previte worked his way into the end zone with 41 seconds left in the third quarter.

"It all starts up front with offensive linemen," said Previte (76 yards on 12 carries). "I try to soften them up in the middle for Khalil on the outside."

Prep took the lead in the first quarter. On third and 8, Donahue play-faked to fullback Andrew McHugh, drawing in the Brockton defenders. Donahue then fired a strike to Brendon Felder that barely kept the drive alive. Sessoms brought Prep to the Brockton 1 with a 27-yard run, and Donahue punched it on a sneak.

Brockton answered a half-minute later.

Johnson ran 49 yards down the right sideline but was kept from the end zone by Kevin Davis. James-Offley scored on the ensuing run, though, weaving around defenders for a 20-yard score.

The Eagles scored their last touchdown early in the fourth quarter when Donahue found James Fahey in the end zone for a 5-yard TD.