The annual Northeast 7v7 East Regional at Bishop Fenwick is an all-day marathon for 40 teams attempting to qualify for the knock-out bracket. For the 16 teams fortunate enough to move on, they then face another grueling fight to the bitter end, doing their best to win the championship and a trip to the New England championship.
Saturday, St. Mary’s of Lynn took it one step further, needing every second of its Small School Division championship game against Salem to claim the title.
With less than 10 seconds to play, St. Mary’s trailed 21-18. But, for the third time that day, the Spartans pulled a rabbit out of their hat to win the game at the buzzer on a perfect strike from quarterback Yaniel Belliard to Tyler Guy, who hauled in the throw just inside the left pylon.
“It was a helluva throw and a helluva catch,” St. Mary’s coach Sean Driscoll said. “In that situation, you just have to take a chance and see who comes up the toughest. Thankfully, everyone did exactly what they had to do to come out a winner. Last week (at the North Regional), we got knocked out on a last-second play, so I guess you could say we grew a lot in a week. The kids really competed.”
In the Open Division, Peabody ran out of gas in the final, losing to Milton 21-0. Nonetheless, coach Mark Bettencourt was pleased with the Tanners’ effort.
“Generally things were going great,” he said. “We’ve had a couple of drops, but that happens. You can’t dwell on that. Everything you take with a grain of salt. The good part is everyone is here. They all know they’re competing so they have that in the back of their minds.”
Peabody advanced to the championship with a Alex Silva to Jayce Jeanpierre buzzer-beater of its own to take down Marblehead 25-19 in double overtime. With the game tied, 19-19, the teams looked to be headed to another overtime, but an interference call on Marblehead gave Peabody one last chance and it cashed in.
Marblehead coach Jim Rudloff did not agree with the call.
“I’m not coaching today because obviously the referee made a decision to call a penalty based on the fact that I said something to him the play before,” Rudloff said. “I’m not taking anything away from Peabody. But that’s a very small individual reffing that game. Our kids did a good job competing and I was happy with everything I saw from them. I thought all the kids did a good job, but that was just a shame.”
Saugus eked out a 6-0 win against Swampscott in the Round of 8 only to get trounced by Salem in the semifinals, 26-7. Isaiah Rodriguez scored the only touchdown of the game, hauling in a long pass from quarterback Cam Preston on the Sachems’ second possession. With less than three minutes left in the game, the Big Blue had the ball and a chance to tie or win, but a Cody Manafo interception secured the win for Saugus.
“He’s a football player,” Saugus coach Steve Cummings said. “He’s one of those guys who worked their way into really good shape. We were 1-10 last year, but I can see today that we learned a lot and I am looking for big things this fall.”
Swampscott assistant coach Robert Serino said his players are excited about the fall season despite winning just three games in 2022. He gave a shout out to quarterback Jack Spear, wideout Jack Hazell, and defender Gabe Tripp.
“They all played great today,” Serino said. “Overall, I like what I saw.”
Host Bishop Fenwick also made it to the elimination Round of 8, but was sent packing by Salem, 30-14. KIPP also bowed out in the Round of 8, losing to Nauset, 22-16.
Lynn Classical (1-3), Lynn Tech (1-3) and Lynnfield (2-2) failed to make it out of pool play.
Two of the Rams’ losses were in overtime. Coach Brian Vaughan said the tournament is serious, “but it’s not too serious. It’s whatever. It’s summertime, a lot of guys are away. When guys play 7s, we take some younger guys who normally don’t play as much and run around. The kids walk off laughing.”
Lynn Tech coach James Runner said his players were competitive and said his games against Bishop Fenwick and Lynnfield were “pretty good. Both of those teams are skillful so we were happy with our effort and speed. We are a running team and this is the total opposite of what this tournament is. We’re just here to get the work done to make us ready and competitive for the season.”
Lynnfield coach Pat Lamusta said his team was competitive and he was pleased with the turnout. “We had a great turnout today and we definitely wanted to try to get everyone in. I think we have talent in a lot of different positions. We can always be better.”
Lamusta said Tyler Adamo looked “sharp” at quarterback and receiver Joey Cucinello had a “great day and made some awesome catches and route-running and Jesse Dorman Jr. had some nice plays. I was excited about seniors Niccolo Antidormi and Kyle Schmidtz and Alex Baldini and got to see what they do on the defensive end, too.”