Saugus falls short, but has accomplished a lot
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After talking to some of the St. Bonaventure players about their 55-36 Northern Division semifinal triumph over Saugus on Saturday night, I started to make my way toward the Centurions side of the field.
As I approached, Coach Jason Bornn was still giving his post-game talk to his teary-eyed team, which was having a difficult time coping with the fact they wouldn’t be playing in what could have been the team’s first foray in the divisional finals.
‘I can’t be prouder of a group of young men,’ said Bornn after his talk with the team. ‘We’ve come a long way, but we just couldn’t make that final step. [St. Bonaventure] has some tremendous players who made tremendous plays and there’s not a whole lot you can do about that.’
Much to my surprise, Saugus was a step or two behind the Seraphs from the get-go. Four of the TDs they gave up were on plays of 48 yards or more and the defense couldn’t lock down talented RB Darrell Scott. Plus, St. Bonny had more than 100 yards in penalties and the Centurions still couldn’t keep up.
However, Saugus RB Ryan Zirbel, pictured, and QB Desi Rodriguez both put up gutsy performances. At one point, both players sat on the bench in the second half after taking hard hits. But both rejoined the game and kept Saugus in the hunt until things got out of control in the fourth quarter.
‘They’re warriors. I don’t think they had anything left in the gas tank and they have nothing to be ashamed of,’ Bornn said.
That’s true. The Centurions lost to a very talented team and should be proud of what they accomplished this season.
- Austin Knoblauch
