Thanksgiving has passed, but that doesn’t mean standout performances from the big week can’t be in the spotlight for a little while longer. With a pep-in-their-step in front of rival fans, there were a few players who shined a bit brighter than the rest. Three quarterbacks who racked up the touchdowns, and two running backs who did it all for their respective teams.
James Sharkey – Lynnfield
After Lynnfield’s loss against St. Mary’s that eliminated the Pioneers from the Division 6 tournament, Coach Pat Lamusta said his group always walks with their heads up, and that everyone is excited for Turkey Day. The Pioneers listened, winning 32-6 over North Reading as one player did his usual thing. James Sharkey scored two rushing touchdowns on just five carries, collected six tackles, and came away with an interception in the win. On the season, Sharkey rushed for 369 yards and six touchdowns to go along with seven interceptions and two receiving touchdowns. So, yes, Sharkey ate well.
Carson Browne – St. John’s Prep
When a player rushes for more than 200 yards, it’s good, and when he gets two touchdowns to go on top of it, it’s even better. Carson Browne of the Eagles began the second half with a 54-yard touchdown after a broken tackle, then gave the Prep a commanding 24-7 lead after his five-yard burst later in the game. His feast started far before Thanksgiving, however, as Browne has been effective all postseason. Browne and the Eagles have one more test this season – that being this Saturday at Gillette Stadium in the Division 1 state championship against Springfield Central. With kickoff set for 12:30 p.m., Browne looks to sustain his stellar play.
Juan Setalsingh – KIPP
In one of the highest-scoring games you ever saw (KIPP 54, Tech 48), KIPP’s Juan Setalsingh was responsible for a lot of it. The righty threw for more than 400 yards and totaled six touchdowns. He also surpassed 2,000 yards on the season, much to the delight of KIPP fans when it was announced by the public address announcer. Some of his throws were perfectly in stride to a receiver downfield, while others were short, but crisp, to fellow Panthers running checkdowns or screens. Like Browne, Setalsingh has one more test this year. At 10 a.m. on Saturday, also at Gillette Stadium, Setalsingh and the Panthers look to take care of Hull in the Division 8 state championship. On a side note, Setalsingh mentioned that Hull was the opponent when he got injured last season, and even though he added it wasn’t anyone’s fault, look for Setalsingh to be playing extra hard for the gold.
Shea Lynch – Peabody
On a record-breaking day for Peabody quarterback Shea Lynch, he made it look easy. Lynch completed 11 of 13 passes, and on his second touchdown to wide receiver Eli Batista, he broke Kyle Beatrice’s Northeastern Conference record of 75 touchdown passes – he now has 78. Also, Lynch broke two of his own single-season passing records. He now has 2,564 yards and 36 touchdowns on the year. Those achievements, on top of another 291 yards and four touchdowns through the air on Thursday, resulted in a successful Thanksgiving for Lynch.
Myles Oneill – Marblehead
What a season it was for the Marblehead football team, culminating in a 48-7 win over Swampscott last Thursday. It’s also been a great season for quarterback Myles Oneill. On Thanksgiving, he threw for nearly 200 yards and rushed for another. Some of his touchdowns were long (42 yards to Shane Keough) while others were short (five yards to Chris Dewitt), and all of them put smiles on the Magician faithful. Marblehead Head Coach Jim Rudloff said his boys would get up for a game against the Big Blue, and it’s safe to say – Oneill did just that.
