Tyler Guy escapes the defense, throws on the run, and finds Nick Sacco for a 59-yard touchdown to stun the Rockland side of the bleachers – the go-ahead touchdown in St. Mary’s 15-14 win on Friday evening.
With potentially one drive remaining for Rockland on the season, the Spartans made sure of it against the defending state champions. With the Bulldogs down by three with the ball, the Spartans’ Alef Potter hit Rockland’s quarterback and the ball was intercepted by Joel Miggs with 1:13 remaining. Miggs, who shined throughout the game with his physical play, was met by a swarm of emotional Spartan teammates.
On a fourth down situation with seconds remaining, St. Mary’s took a safety before squibbing the ball to a Rockland returner. After a few lateral attempts following the kick, the Spartans punched their ticket to the Division 6 state championship at Gillette Stadium.
Rockland won the state championship last December, and St. Mary’s Head Coach Sean Driscoll called the Bulldogs the best team in the bracket after the game.
“It’s a huge win for our program, huge,” St. Mary’s Head Coach Sean Driscoll said. “I’m happy for my kids, I’m happy for the school.”
From the dueling sets of cheerleaders at the neutral location of Walpole High School, to how quickly players on both teams stood up for teammates after scrums, the evening was nothing but intense. With players’ breaths visible from the cold weather, things came down to execution and toughness.
Star running backs David Brown and Derick Coulanges led the way in a game where both teams prioritized the run. Small run gains added up for St. Mary’s and the Bulldogs never truly found an answer.
Last week against Lynnfield, Brown was limited due to injury. Friday, he was utilized much more to which Driscoll said it opens up the entire offense.
“It was great to have him because he brings that balance,” Driscoll said.
Towards the beginning of the second quarter is when the Spartans caught their rhythm. A pass interference call on the Bulldogs put the Spartans in the redzone. Coulanges did the rest with a 5-yard touchdown to put St. Mary’s up 7-0 after the extra point from Michael Anderson.
After Sacco’s touchdown in the third quarter, and Coulanges scoring on the two-point conversion, St. Mary’s took a 15-6 lead.
Rockland running back Jacob Coulstring scored one of his two touchdowns with just under nine minutes remaining, but the Spartans executed down the stretch after a great week of practice according to Driscoll.
“Kids were focused and dialed in all week,” Driscoll said. “Good things happen to good people.”
Maggs – as he’s accustomed to doing for St. Mary’s – caught eyes with several ferocious tackles throughout the game – often using his upper-body strength to wrap up Bulldogs before bringing them to the turf.
Other defensive highlights included Potter forcing a fumble for St. Mary’s in the first quarter, Carlos De La Rosa recovering a fumble near the endzone to prevent Rockland points just before the half, and Brown knocking down a deep pass from Bulldogs’ quarterback Michael Moriarty in the third quarter when the Bulldogs were across midfield.
The Spartans take on Austin Prep at Fenway Park on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m., and will take on the winner of Stoneham and Cardinal Spellman in the state championship at Gillette Stadium.
“This is fun. It doesn’t get much better than this,” Driscoll said. “We’re fortunate enough to be going to Fenway the day before Thanksgiving and then going to Gillette. For these seniors, that’s quite an honor.”
