BROCKTON — Earlier this fall, St. Mary’s beat Cardinal Spellman, which was without one of its top players. Friday night, the tables were turned; St. Mary’s was without star running back Maxwell Parent.
The No. 6 Cardinals beat the No. 11 Spartans, 41-30, on their home turf, but it was a close one.
St. Mary’s trailed 21-6 early in the third quarter, but a 45-yard touchdown from Yaniel Belliard to Tyler Guy cut the lead to seven after a successful two-point conversion from Guy (21-14).
Then, it got even more interesting. The Spartans forced a fumble – recovered by Alef Potter – which led to St. Mary’s marching downfield thanks to a 30-yard run from Ernie Panias, which set up a 5-yard touchdown from Guy.
The 2-point conversion from Panias was successful for a St. Mary’s lead (22-21).
“We battled and played hard. We didn’t give up and I thought the second half was big, but credit to them,” said St. Mary’s coach Sean Driscoll. “I’m proud of the way my guys battled back from being down two scores and got a lead.”
However, that was the last time the Spartans led as Cardinals’ senior quarterback Matt O’Donnell kept the Spartans guessing. O’Donnell finished the game with 230 rushing yards (2 TDs) and 91 passing yards (2 TDs).
“We just couldn’t maintain ourselves defensively,” Driscoll said.
Driscoll was complimentary of the opposing captain.
“He’s slippery and has some wiggle, and we had trouble containing him all night,” Driscoll said. “He’s the real deal.”
O’Donnell led his team to 20 unanswered points to take a 41-22 lead.
“They’re a good football team,” Driscoll said. “They have a lot of seniors and were right there at the end of last year. I’m happy for them because they work hard and play hard.”
St. Mary’s scored late on a Rowan Merryman rush to end the game.
Not only was Driscoll proud of his team’s effort, but also, a pair of seniors.
“We had two seniors come back. One of them played his second game of the year and the other played his third,” Driscoll said. “Ernie Panias gave a hell of an effort and he’s been out since Week 3. Joel Maggs – playing essentially with one arm – gave it his all.”
