Thanksgiving preview: Xaverian-St. John’s will play for a piece of the league title

St. John?s Prep is certainly not lacking for motivation when its hosts Super Bowl-bound Xaverian tomorrow morning (Cronin Field, 10:15).View season’s photos from throughout the fall season on the North ShoreSince the Catholic Conference is one of a handful of leagues that didn?t play a full league schedule in advance of the playoffs, the championship remains in play and the Eagles (2-1, 6-4) can claim a share by upsetting the Hawks (3-0, 9-1).?It?s Thanksgiving Day ? you don?t need anything more to get motivated,” said veteran coach Jim O?Leary. “There?s a piece of the league championship at stake and I?d be very happy for the kids to finish 7-4 with a championship the way the season has gone.”A season fraught with challenges ranged from the pre-season decision of one key player to leave school; to season-ending injuries to senior fullback Greg Kobelski (shoulder) and to dynamic senior running back Johnny Thomas (knee) in consecutive games; to off-field missteps that resulted in multi-game suspensions of several starters.?It has been (challenging). We certainly came in thinking we had a good base on offense then the issues began right off the bat. Then we lost our senior fullback and the best player in the state was done after three and a half games. The middle part of our season has a direct correlation to who you have available to play,” O?Leary said.Still, the Eagles have persevered. Following a disappointing league loss to B.C. High and a mistake-filled shellacking by Lowell in the quarterfinal round of the North playoffs, St. John?s has bounced back with convincing routs of Malden and Methuen.And all hands will be on deck in the offensive line for Xaverian ? a needed boost against the Hawks? smothering defense that yields a mere 11.6 ppg.?They have two outstanding defensive ends who dominate both sides and create a lot of problems. And their secondary is very skilled and athletic. It?s going to be quite a challenge for our offense,” O?Leary said.O?Leary is confident in senior quarterback Mike Geaslen, who has thrown for more than 1,000 yards and nine TDs while spreading the ball to junior Owen Rockett, senior Logan Mahoney and senior Jake Burt. Junior Cody Harwood has rushed for eight touchdowns since the injury to Thomas and sophomore Jack Lambert (6-1, 210) has three scores since being moved into the backfield to add some heft.?Michael Geaslen has really come along and is at his best in play-action. Cody can make some things happen behind our big line. He has to remain patient and take the yards that are available,” O?Leary assessed.On the flip side, Xaverian scores a tick under 30 points per game, driven by running back Shayne Kaminski (14 TDs) and quarterback Jake Farrell, who has thrown for 10 scores and run for five. AJ King and Nick Colantuoni have three TD receptions each and seven players have found the end zone at least twice.?They?re on a roll on offense. They?re back to power and option but they can spread the field as well. The match-ups are tough for us but we have to be disciplined and we have to be physical,” O?Leary saidInterestingly, a St. John?s win would give the Eagles victories over the two teams competing for the Division 1 State title next weekend at Gillette Stadium. They handled Central Catholic in September.O?Leary praised the 24 seniors making their last appearance in Prep colors.?I have nothing but respect for them. They came to practice every day, worked as hard as they could and they never gave up. It?s been an unbelievable group. We could?ve folded our tents for many reasons this season and it never happened because of their leadership,” he said, adding “And, I think my assistant coaches did one of the best jobs I?ve ever seen since I?ve been here.”