Thanksgiving preview: Despite losses, St. Mary’s still formidable

The St. Mary’s football team heads into tonight’s Thanksgiving Eve showdown against Lynn Tech with a few more losses under its belt than in recent years, but a strong season never the less considering half the losses were to Bishop Fenwick.View season’s photos from throughout the fall season on the North ShoreSt. Mary’s (6-4) met the Crusaders in Catholic Central League play early in the season and then again in the playoffs with Super Bowl-bound Fenwick prevailing both times. St. Mary’s other two losses also were against CCL opponents who made the playoffs – Austin Prep and Cardinal Spellman.”Those teams had a combined 25-5 record (heading into last weekend),” St. Mary’s coach Matt Durgin said. “In two or three of the games, we were right there in the fourth quarter.”The Spartans had some openings this season with a couple of players, running back Jordan Collier and quarterback Jake Cassidy, leaving for prep school and others like Andres Rodrigues and Nick Lee, the heart of the defense, graduating.That left plenty of room for other guys to step up and they did. In only his second year playing football, let alone quarterback, sophomore Antonio Felix threw for nine touchdowns – on a team known for its running game.”You could see the improvement in him week to week in terms of confidence,” Durgin said. “He’s a good athlete with a strong arm. I only see him getting better.”The Spartans didn’t miss a beat with their running game. Senior Jordan Manthorne ran for 15 touchdowns and junior Connor Sakowich was good for 13. Both had four touchdown receptions.”He (Manthorne) stepped into the role as one of our leaders,” Durgin said. “He gives me a great effort every week … he’s another gifted athlete with a strong desire to win.”Durgin said Sakowich started emerging as a quality back as a sophomore and stepped it up to another level this year.”He has the ability to make big plays,” Durgin said. “He got a lot more carries this year. They (Manthorne and Sakowich) have made a very good tandem.”Durgin called junior John Gaeta an unsung hero with his blocking, Freshman Abraham Toe also impressed with seven touchdowns and seven 2-point conversions.”He (Toe) has excellent speed. He’ll come in for Sakowich or Manthorne. There’s not a drop off. He’s got vision and he runs hard.”Toe sprained his ankle a couple of weeks ago, but Durgin is hoping to have him back for the Tech game.Durgin also cited the play of juniors Jack Leonard on the offensive line and Brent Lozzi on the offensive and defensive line. Seniors Eddie Faulkner, Paul Halas and Austin Harvey also had good seasons, he said, as did tight end/defensive end Luc Zikianda.Durgin had several other seniors contribute including Alec Gunning at offensive tackle, Cristian Abarca and Michael Hayward. Looking down the road, freshman Calvin Johnson started on defense and freshman Joe Silvestri started the past three games at linebacker. Freshman Liam Reddy got the call at center.”That’s not an easy position to play,” he said.St. Mary’s got off to a great start, outlasting Swampscott 64-39 a track-meet of a game. Amherst-Pelham was next on the docket and the Spartans put some impressive numbers on the board again in a 44-0 win. League plays started the following week and it was Austin Prep winning 22-14. St. Mary’s came back to defeat Achbishop Williams, 24-18, but then hit a two-game skid, losing 26-8 to Cardinal Spellman and 34-6 to Bishop Fenwick. .All was right the following week with a 48-14 win over Arlington Catholic, but the playoffs began the next week and it was Fenwick winning 33-12. The Spartans dropped to the losers side of the bracket and posted two wins, the first 28-11 over Whittier followed by a 42-10 win over Greater Lowell.”It’s not the season we had a year ago, but it’s been just as enjoyable for this team,” Durgin said. ‘They come to play each week and they work. That’s all you can ask of the kids. They come out and give a great effort each week and I’m very happy with