Lynn’s Rushins returns to the fold with a flourish

WOBURN – The Bishop Fenwick football team has weathered the storm.When junior tailback Rufus Rushins dislocated his elbow in the first game of the playoffs against St. Mary’s, the Crusaders had to carry on without one of their top players and they did, defeating Austin Prep and Northeast Regional to reach the Division 5 state semifinals.Rushins returned to action Friday night against Abington and the Crusaders made it look easy, winning 35-8 to earn a trip to Gillette. When Rushins took the field and carried the ball on the opening play of the game, all was right with the world. Any questions of whether he would be ready to go were answered when picked up 19 yards on his third carry of the game and on the next series, scored on a 38-yard run up the middle. Rushins finished with two touchdowns and 154 yards rushing.Rushins said it was frustrating to be on the sidelines for the past 2 1/2 weeks and although he felt like he was good to go last week, he knew the coaches and the doctor did the right thing having him sit out another week.”It was a tough decision to make, but I think it was for the best,” he said.Rushins said it was important for him out there because the other team has to cover both the run and the pass. I”It’s kind of like pick your poison,” he said.Watching the action rather than being a part of it was tough for Rushins.”It’s a frustrating feeling, an empty feeling inside to not be able to play. It’s a sad feeling,” he said.The upside, he said, it that the team knows it can lose a player and still go out there and win.Rushins said he and his teammates will have a little time to enjoy the win over Abington, recover, and then its back to business to prepare for the Dec. 7 Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium.”We’ll take the feeling in, because the team we’re playing (next) is going to be just as tough,” he said.Rushins said he felt healthy going into last night’s game, but he really didn’t know what type of game he would have.”I just went out there to play,”he said, crediting the linemen with doing some great blocking.Bishop Fenwick coach Dave Woods was happy to have all the pieces back together.”Whe you have Rufus at tailback, you put pressure on the defense. Then you add Charlie (Maistrellis) and Eric (Razney) on the outside and it really stresses the defense. I wouldn’t want to defend us. I know that. Nick Bona’s the best football player I’ve ever