St. John’s Prep returns to the Div. 1 championship game

WOBURN — St. John’s Prep.

Stop us if you’ve heard this before.

Edwin Castro rushed for two touchdowns while Deacon Robillard threw for two scores as No. 1 St. John’s Prep earned its fourth Div. 1 Super Bowl appearance in five seasons with a 35-7 win over No. 4 Andover on Friday night at Woburn High School.

St. John’s Prep’s win sets up a quandary for the two Super Bowl participants as the Eagles (11-0) will take on Xaverian. The rivals have their annual Thanksgiving Day game before the championship and this year’s Turkey Day contest will have league championship implications.

“Our goal this week was to earn another two weeks and we did that,” St. John’s Prep coach Brian St. Pierre said. “I am not at Thanksgiving yet. I know our next two games will be against a very good opponent.”

A handful of breakout stars showcased themselves Friday night. Castro had a pair of touchdowns while Nick Schibili had a key strip-sack that Alexander Bajoras recovered. Anthony Bechalany had a pick and Gavin Gold secured a 28-yard touchdown reception.

“We have a bunch of hard-working, tough guys that have contributed all year and that was the same tonight,” St. Pierre said. “Castro has played a lot of ball but we’re trying to find roles for him. I was happy he had success tonight.”

Prep star Mason McSweeeney hauled in a touchdown pass on the game’s opening drive to put SJP up 8-0. The senior captain also had a pair of sacks for the game. After an Andover punt, the Eagles doubled their lead as Castro rushed for 17 yards on a direct snap before a one-yard touchdown scamper. Bechalany’s interception gave the Eagles possession once again, setting up Castro’s second touchdown rush of the night to make it 22-0.

As time dwindled down in the opening half, Robillard threw a rainbow to Gold who hauled in a 28-yard touchdown reception to give the Eagles a 28-0 advantage at the break.

Andover’s lone score came on its first drive of the third quarter courtesy of a 16-yard touchdown reception by Chris Dessin.

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