Fenwick Super Bowl bound

WOBURN – While a thick fog might have made visibility an issue for spectators during Friday evening’s semifinal matchup, the Bishop Fenwick football team’s path to a Division 5 title became all too clear.View Photo GalleryThe Crusaders defeated Abington 35-8 and are now one win away from being crowned Division 5state champions. They get to do that Dec. 7 against either Hoosac Valley of Western Massachusetts or Northbridge, the Central Mass. entry.”The guys really brought the physical play tonight against a very tough team,” said Fenwick coach Dave Woods. “That was probably the best defense we played all year, especially in the second half. We came in with a great game plan and the guys really got after it.”The Green Wave’s lone score was the first of the game at 1:47 of the opening quarter. After getting intercepted by Charlie Maistrellis on his first pass, Bryan Dwyer responded with a 20 yard touchdown pass to Vincent Picardi. Aidan Cawley converted on a two-point conversion run.The Crusaders wasted little time in answering, as Eric Razney took the ensuing kickoff to their own 48. Quarterback Nick Bona followed with a 14-yard run and an incompletion before Rufus Rushins broke off an impressive 38 yard touchdown run.Fenwick forced another turnover on the next drive as Eric Razney, who tipped the first interception, got one of his own, nabbing a pass deep in Crusaders territory before an electric return to the Abington 27.Too the Green Wave’s credit, they rebuffed Fenwick’s attempts to take the lead, forcing a turnover on downs from near their goal line. The Crusaders came up big again however, forcing a Dwyer fumble that Kevin Hannon came up with.The third turnover paid dividends as Bona converted on a fourth and one keeper before David Hurley fought his way into the end zone from five yards out. Bona connected with Hurley on the two-point conversion to give Fenwick a 15-8 lead with 56 seconds remaining in the half.Matt Renzulli added another Crusaders interception late in the game on a deep ball to the goal line from Dwyer.”At the time of the go-ahead score, I was telling our coaches that we had three turnovers but were still behind,” explained Woods. “We needed to start capitalizing and that score at the end of the half was huge as it allowed us to go into the half with a lead.”The second half saw Fenwick score 21 answered points while holding the Green Wave’s offense at bay. The Crusaders opening drive of the second half went for 11 plays and 82 yards, ending with Bona spinning his way into the end zone from a yard out at 1:28.”Things kind of opened up a bit for Nick in the second half and he took advantage of it,” said Woods of his senior signal-caller. “He’s a competitive kid and really wanted this game tonight. He’s the best player I have ever coached.”Maistrellis forced a turnover on downs early in the final quarter after breaking up a Dwyer pass on fourth and 12. After two rushes from Rushins for 32 yards, the bruising back put the nail in the coffin, finding pay dirt from the two-yard line. Bona capped off the scoring after returning an interception for a touchdown with under 2:00 to play.”Fenwick did a great job in stopping us from doing what we wanted on offense,” said Abington coach James Kelliher of the Crusader’s defensive effort. “You have to give them credit for their preparation and the way they came at us tonight.”Fenwick will play host to Pingree on Thanksgiving.