BURLINGTON — Returning St. John’s Prep players this year could close their eyes and still see rain falling sideways, the red turf in both end zones, and Needham football players storming the field.
That was how the last game the team played at Burlington High School ended. It was last year’s state semifinals, and the Rockets ended the Eagles’ postseason ambitions.
One year later, No. 1 St. John’s Prep was back again in the state semifinals on the turf in Burlington.
This time, however, the team didn’t let its opportunity slip away.
Powered by huge runs from Maxwell Parent and Jordan Toribio and downfield throwing from John Budrow, the Eagles dominated No. 5 Central Catholic, 48-7, punching their ticket to Gillette Stadium.
The program will play either Xaverian or Springfield Central in the Division I title game.
Friday’s game was all but over at halftime, with the Eagles leading by 48.
“The kids had a look in their eye all week,” St. John’s Prep coach Brian St. Pierre said. “We had enough guys from last year who had a bad taste in their mouth from coming to this stadium. … We had a look in our eyes all week. I felt really good getting on the bus and going to bed last night. I actually got some sleep … I’m just really happy for the guys. Really happy.”
St. John’s Prep got its first score on the board during its first drive with a 19-yard weaving run from Maxwell Parent. Central Catholic’s next drive was dulled by penalties, and the Eagles took advantage, scoring with a three-yard touchdown run from Parent for his second score of the night.
Central Catholic had a three-and-out on its next drive. St. John’s Prep responded with an 85-yard touchdown run from Toribio, making it 24-0 early in the second quarter. Following another short Raider drive, Ethan Stefanovich pulled in an 84-yard touchdown to put the Eagles ahead by 32.
Budrow stepped in at quarterback for star sophomore Chris Vargas after the underclassman sustained an injury in the team’s first-round game against Framingham. Since then, the senior has kept the ship steady in a win over Leominster and now another over Central Catholic.
“He’s a perfect embodiment of what our program is about. It’s developmental,” St. Pierre said about Budrow. “He’s been a three-year member of the varsity. I told him, if you can get through practice with me breathing down your neck at quarterback, the game is easy. I thought he made it look pretty easy tonight. That’s a testament to his work ethic. He’s earned it. Like a lot of our kids, they earn it. We make them earn it.”
St. John’s Prep got two more scores before the end of the half: one on a one-play drive, and the other on a two-play drive.
Toribio broke free for a 68-yard touchdown before Selvais pulled in a touchdown with a 57-yard reception to make it 48-0 at halftime.
The Eagles came into the game averaging 43.8 points per game, an incredibly high number.
They surpassed that number at halftime.
“You don’t expect something like that, but you expect your kids to play well,” St. Pierre said about the team’s first half. And we expected to play well. It sounded like they (Central Catholic) were excited to play us and were eager to get back at us. I think our players were like, ‘OK.’
“We’ve had tons of battles with (Central Catholic). They’re a great and proud program, but we were ready to go tonight.”
The second half had a running clock, and both teams played mostly backup players. Amari Mills ran in a score on the goal line in the game’s final minutes to put the Raiders on the scoreboard.
The Eagles’ next game is against Xaverian on Thanksgiving Day before they play in the state championship the week after.
In the past, the teams have played their starters for the holiday matchup. In other years, the backups have gotten most of the playing time.
The Eagles will have a plan. But for now, they’re just enjoying a semifinal win and a punched ticket to Gillette Stadium.
“I can’t even get there yet. It’s a tough setup. It always is,” St. Pierre said. “It’s a great opponent. That’s a story for another day. Another day soon.”
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