MARBLEHEAD — There wasn’t much English quarterback Matt Severance didn’t accomplish during his senior season. The Bulldogs fell short of their ultimate goal of bringing a state championship to Goodridge Street, but Severance threw for 1,475 yards, 14 touchdowns and carried a 4.0 GPA in the classroom. He also helped lead English to another state tournament appearance in Division 3 North.
Thursday night at the Item’s 73rd All-Star Dinner at Tedesco Country Club, Severance was named the Edward H. Cahill Item Player of the Year.
“It’s a tremendous honor, especially knowing the people that have won it before and the careers they’ve had,” said Severance, a two-way player who led the Bulldogs with 123 tackles as a safety. “It’s a little bit of a memory, knowing that’s the way I capped off my high school career. I’m beyond grateful for receiving this.”
Severance is the first English player to win the award since Chris Carroll, his head coach, won it in 2005. He credited Carroll, along with the rest of his coaches and teammates for pushing him to succeed during his four years at English.
“I couldn’t be more grateful, those guys keep me going,” Severance said. “I couldn’t imagine putting in the amount of work the coaches do, so I applaud them for that. They’re great people and I really respect them.”
Also winning major awards at Thursday’s dinner were: St. John’s Brian St. Pierre (Peter Gamage Coach of the Year); Classical’s Keith Ridley (William F. Connell Student Athlete of the Year); St. John’s Wes Rockett (Daily Item/Agganis Foundation Offensive Player of the Year); Tech’s Emerson Ramirez (Daily Item/Agganis Foundation Defensive Player of the Year); and Revere’s Rayan Riazi (Special Teams Player of the Year).
Riazi is the first recipient of the special teams award, a new addition to the group of major awards. A sophomore, he kicked one game-winning field goal and two game-tying field goals this season.
“Honestly I’m kind of shocked,” Riazi said. “I did what I had to do to win games.
“I tried to just think the game’s not on the line to take the pressure off a little bit. Just focus on the ball, keep my eyes on it wherever it goes and just do it.”
Ramirez, a senior, led the Commonwealth Athletic Conference with 162 tackles this season. He was a critical piece of last year’s Tigers team that won the MVADA Small Championship.
“Coach (James) Runner told me I’m the first person in Tech history to win this award,” Ramirez said. “It means a lot. I worked so hard. It finally paid off.
“I’m very grateful for coach Runner and coach Jason McCuish. He taught me everything I know. I go out on the field and it’s all him. I also want to thank my mom. It’s been a rough two and a half years for me. She’s been there for me every step of the way. I’m very thankful for her.”
Ramirez said he’s unsure he’ll play college football but hopes to return to the gridiron in the future.
“I’m going to really miss this,” Ramirez said. “I don’t know if I’ll continue playing football. I’ll be back, probably coaching.”
Rockett, a senior, missed his entire junior season with a knee injury. He saved his best game for last, hauling in three touchdown catches in St. John’s 40-22 win over Catholic Memorial in the Division 1 Super Bowl. Rockett finished the season with 54 catches for 889 yards and nine touchdowns.
“You can’t dream of something like that,” Rockett said. “I think just the Super Bowl and that ring we’re going to get, that’s all we’ll remember 25 years from now. It’s going to be the team that got it done. That’s what’s going to stick with me forever.”
Rockett deflected all credit to his coach, St. Pierre.
“I’m just glad we can celebrate coach,” Rockett said. “He had such a great year. Coming back from last year, just as I was. We didn’t have a great year. To come back the way he did, he changed everything about his coaching style and all that. He gave the responsibility to the players. We took that trust and turned it into a great season.”
St. Pierre, a former Eagle himself who led St. John’s to a state championship in 1997, returned to his alma mater and assumed head coaching duties in 2014.
He guided the Eagles to an 10-2 record this fall.
“I’m really grateful to have a great group of kids to coach and a great staff to coach with,” St. Pierre said. “We really enjoy being with each other. It’s a great group to be with. There’s a lot of tradition and history with football in this area. Having been at the Item’s banquet as a player and now a coach, it’s a great honor. It’s humbling for me considering all the great coaches that have come before.”
A senior who carries a 4.2 GPA, Ridley, who plays on Classical’s basketball team, couldn’t attend the dinner due to a conflicting game. Classical football coach Brian Vaughan accepted the award on Ridley’s behalf and praised him for his efforts in the classroom.
“Keith takes pride in his success in the classroom,” Vaughan said. “That’s always on his mind first. I think because he does that, the other stuff, him competing in the weight room, his competing on the field, is secondary. The rest is easy because he competes so much in the classroom. He’s a special kid that comes around once in a while.”
