Football preview: Thursday marks the end of Fenwick’s Rushins’ career

Of the 19 upperclassmen on the Bishop Fenwick roster, representing 10 different hometowns, none has had as positive an impact on the program as a trio of Lynners along with a teammate from just down the road.On Thanksgiving, Lynn?s Rufus Rushins concludes an outstanding high school career, while sharing the Crusaders? sideline for one last time with senior Brian Fitzpatrick of Nahant and juniors Lynners Justice Andrade and Cody Mullen.?It?s been an absolute pleasure coaching each of them,” said coach Dave Woods of the foursome who will take the field together on Thursday morning against Pingree (4-4) in South Hamilton.Fenwick (10-1) beat the Highlanders last year in the matchup?s inaugural game, a week before topping Northbridge in the Division 5 Super Bowl.Woods offered his full appreciation of each player, beginning with Rushins whose contributions go far beyond the box scores he consistently filled.?Players of his caliber just don?t come along very often,” said Woods of the 6-feet-1, 230-pounder who is widely regarded as one of the best running backs in the state.?When Rufus first took the field with us, he was very raw, but it was pretty clear that he would be a special talent,” Woods said. “I never thought that he would put up the kinds of numbers he has but we knew we had a great one.”This season, Rushins has run for over 1,500 yards with 17 touchdowns including a superb effort in the Crusaders? semifinal loss against Abington that snapped Fenwick?s state-best 26-game winning streak.?He took that loss especially hard, which, for me, was extremely tough to watch,” said Woods. Rushins racked up 158 yards and a touchdown in the defeat.?Rufus is an emotional player and has been a terrific leader on and off the field these past two seasons,” Rushins said. “He has lived up to every expectation we?ve had for him.”Fitzpatrick, a dual threat at tight end and linebacker, graduated from the role-player ranks into something of an all-around weapon this season for the Crusaders.?Brian is as self-motivated a player as I?ve had and has been a phenomenal asset this season,” said Woods of the versatile 6-feet-1, 210 pounder who recorded touchdowns via rush, reception and interception return this fall.?There has been a running joke with our coaching staff all season stating that ?Fitzy can do anything,?” Woods said. “This is a kid that signed on as a quarterback and defensive lineman in his freshman year, so he?s been all over the field.”Fenwick will have Andrade and Mullen back for one more season in which they will be counted on to play bigger roles.?Justice has started in every single game we?ve played these past two seasons,” said Woods of Andrade, a 5-feet-11, 265 pound center. “He?s been the glue that?s held our offensive line together and a real rallying force on the field.?Cody has been a big part of the receiving corps in the wake of losing key guys like Eric Razney, Charlie Maistrellis and James Traversey last season.?(He) is an absolute gamer and brings the kind of winning attitude we like to see in players. It?s great knowing we?ll have him back for another year.”Woods has 11 other seniors who have been instrumental in the team?s overwhelming successes the past two seasons.?This is a special week for all of them,” said Woods of the group, which includes key pieces in Mike Campatelli, Myles Connor and Josh Niconchuk in addition to captains Robert Carrillo, David Hurley, Aidan Moulton and Matt Renzulli.?They?ve been a terrific group,” Woods said, “and deserve nothing more than to go out with one last win.”