Xavier Defeats Staples 42-7 in Class LL Championship Game for Second Consecutive Title

1. If Xavier’s Class LL championship run last season was a coming out party for the team and its amazingly talented junior class, this year’s title was a coronation for that group. Xavier went 13-0 in 2011. The Falcons outscored opponents 423-76 in the regular season and 131-27 in the postseason. Domination is the only adjective to describe Xavier’s performance in each and every game this season.

2. Staples of Westport put up a valiant effort for much of the game, even if the 42-7 final score doesn’t indicate they did. The Wreckers obviously didn’t make it to the Class LL title game without a ton of talent, and Staples was able to occasionally run and especially throw the ball against the Falcons early in the game. When Staples answered a 58-yard Tim Boyle TD pass with a beautiful touchdown catch from Nick Kelly to cut the deficit to 14-7 early in the second quarter, his team was thinking they had just obtained what could be a big momentum swing. And how did Xavier answer? With Ryan Murphy returning the kickoff 48 yards and Pat D’Amato tossing a touchdown strike to a wide-open Mike Mastrioanni just two plays later.

Oh Xavier, how could I ever doubt you? Every time you give an opponent just a little bit of a window, you then unequivocally snatch it away. From that point on Staples unable to find any success on offense, or defense for that matter. The Falcons had stepped up and asserted their dominance when it was most necessary for them to.

3. Xavier was easily capable of making big plays, and Staples was incapable of stopping them. The already mentioned gorgeous 58 yard TD pass from Boyle to Jovan Santos-Knox. D’Amato’s 37-yard TD to Mastrioanni, where the Wreckers defense was completely sold on the fake and Mastrioanni was alone in the end zone. DeAngelo Berry’s 48 yard scamper at the beginning of the second half that put a nail in Staples coffin. There are too many awesome plays to choose from, and that’s not even mentioning the endless number of great runs by Mike Mastrioanni, who finished with a touchdown and 243 yards on 29 carries and was named the game’s MVP. Xavier’s big play ability totally wore down Staples by the time the second half rolled around.

4. Staples option attack was supposed to be dangerous. Well, so much for that. Max Tylki, Ryan Murphy, Ryan Jacobucci and the rest of the Falcons defense permitted the Wreckers to rush for just 31 yards on 28 carries. Xavier’s defensive lineman repeatedly pushed blockers off the line of scrimmage and made hard-hitting tackles in the backfield. Nick Kelly took the brunt of their punishment, losing 20 yards on just 11 touches.

Though the Wreckers were able to find brief success in the passing game, QB Jack Massie was only able to complete 11 of his 26 attempts and throw for just 144 yards total. Massie had constant pressure surrounding him and a lack of throwing lanes for the entire contest. Although his strong arm and impressive receivers allowed Massie to make a few plays early, he was unable to successfully throw the ball as he lost accuracy and the defense in the Falcons defensive backfield became more aggressive. Because that option didn’t exist, the Wreckers chances at winning didn’t exist either.

5. The Maestro performed a grand finale. Mike Mastroianni had his typical sterling performance in rushing for 243 yards and a touchdown and earning a second touchdown in the air. Like he has done to every one of Xavier’s opponents, the 175-pound senior back dominated Staples with a combination of power and explosiveness. With Mastroianni in the backfield the Falcons never had to worry about a drive stalling. They knew he could pick up both the tough yards and bust out a long run.

Behind Mastroianni, Xavier earned 408 yards on the grounds as each of its principle rushers (Mastrioanni, D’Amato, Berry and Matt Craig) ran for a touchdown. The 42-7 thrashing and game MVP award was a fitting way for one of the greatest players to ever wear a Falcons uniform to go out.

6. Not that Xavier made it clear in their statements leading up to the game that this was a chance for revenge. Staples had been the last school to beat Xavier, having defeated them 31-28 in the Class LL semifinals in December 2009, and since then the Falcons had won 25 games in a row. The talented but row sophomores who played for that team were the stars on this squad, and they made sure they were going to settle the score last night at Rentschler Field. Xavier played and celebrated with an extra edge. The Falcons would have been thrilled to beat any school but defeating Staples, and especially dominating them, was destiny.

7. Your author is not exactly the most historically aware or neutral party in the world (I’m a Xavier graduate). But it seems like the 2011 Xavier Falcons can stack themselves up against any of the great high school football teams in CT history, from the great Bloomfield teams of the late 90’s and early 00’s and the excellent New Britain squads from the middle of last decade to any of the standout Ansonia teams from the last few decades. Writers like Tom Yantz and Jeff Jacobs of the Hartford Courant who have been observing the high school scene for years believe that to be the case.

The numbers certainly speak for themselves. Xavier has the longest winning streak in the state at 26 games after winning two consecutive Class LL championships. The team had the third-highest scoring offense in the state and its 103 points allowed in 13 games was CT’s best. And the Falcons saved their best play for last, only permitting 347 yards total in the playoffs. Xavier’s 42-7 victory in the title game was the most lopsided in the biggest classification since the playoffs began in 1976. Xavier is as talented as I could imagine a high school team ever being. They had a monster offensive line, unrelenting running backs, efficient QB’s and defensive players who are extremely strong and aggressive. Most importantly, Xavier plays with absolute intelligence and execution on every down. As a fan you were excited to watch the Falcons because you wanted to see what amazing play they made next. That’s the sign of a great team.

8. To Mike Mastrioanni, Pat D’Amato, Jovan Santos-Knox, Ryan Jacobucci, Ryan Murphy, Sean Marinan Jr. and the remaining group of 19 seniors who took Xavier to consecutive undefeated seasons and Class LL titles, congratulations. You were a very gifted group of football players and deserve every accolade you receive. You honored Xavier High School and the city of Middletown to the upmost degree. After the game, Sean Marinan Jr. told the New Haven Register ““First team in Xavier history to go back-to-back, we’re immortal now. They can’t take it away.” I couldn’t have said it better myself.

Xavier Crushes Glastonbury 34-6 in First Round of Class LL Playoffs: Observations on the Game

1. In defeating Glastonbury 34-6 in the first round of the CIAC Class LL playoffs at Palmer Field Tuesday night, Xavier played about as close to perfect as a team can get. Facing a formidable opponent and with heavy rain coming down constantly, Xavier excelled in every facet of the game. Running back Mike Mastrioanni resembled a pinball as he constantly banged off Glastonbury defenders while picking up easy yards and extending drives. Meanwhile, the Tomahawks had only one drive that produced any success. Time after time, the Falcons blew up Glastonbury drives and caused them to go for negative yardage. The final score did not come close to indicating the smackdown Xavier laid on its opponent. For Glastonbury, they looked like boys playing a men’s game.
2. Mike Mastrioanni was indispensable in this game. With the help of his phenomenal offensive line, Mastrioanni gained big chunks of yardage on almost every run. He bounced off and shedded defenders, wearing them down and continuing drives. The senior back was in beast mode for the entire contest-he finished with 176 yards and three touchdowns on 25 carries-which allowed the Falcons to need very little contribution from the passing game. Quarterback Pat D’Amato tossed a beautiful 39 yard touchdown to Ryan Murphy and ran for a touchdown, but overall Xavier rarely threw the ball and completed only two passes in the overwhelming rain. The Falcon’s really didn’t need to when totaled a staggering 335 yards on the ground. Glastonbury was never a match physically or strategically, not even for one drive.
3. Until their final drive of the fourth quarter, Glastonbury’s offense was nonexistent. Their performance could only be described as pathetic: zero yards in the first half, only one first down until the Tomahawk’s final drive, 42 yards of total offense. Defensive stalwarts like Matt Craig, Sean Marinan Jr., Ryan Jacobucci and Ryan Murphy reached the backfield with no trouble and tackled their opponent’s offensive players for no gain or significant losses. It didn’t help that Glastonbury’s offense was unimaginative and inefficient, repeating similar draw plays or outside routes even as they went nowhere. Glastonbury needed to put together a stellar offensive performance to match up with Xavier’s defense. They proved that they didn’t have the speed, strength or savvy to do so.
4. It was hard not to be enchanted by the Falcon’s sheer mastery of the fundamentals on both sides of the ball. This mastery encompassed a number of areas, particularly the way Xavier’s offensive lines and backs work together in the running game and the ability of the team’s defensive backs in defending opposing receivers. Mastrioanni consistently demonstrated his skill in following his blockers and hitting open holes, with varying speeds depending on the situation. And defensive backs like Ryan Jacobucci, who had an interception in the third quarter, smothered Glastonbury’s receivers with aggressive tackles and denied them any extra space. It was a brilliant display by the Falcons and a testament to the skill of both the players and the Xavier coaching staff.
5. Really, Glastonbury? In the 21st century, there’s no reason why any team, especially one representing a high school, should have a nickname like Tomahawks. It’s disrespectful, dishonest and immoral. A high school is supposed to be a place for learning and calling your football team by this name expresses every negative connotation possible to students about Native American culture. If Glastonbury High School had any sense it would change their team name as quickly as possible.
6. Kudos to the Xavier and especially the Glastonbury fans for their show of support. 1,500 fans watching the game in such terrible weather, and on a weeknight, needs to be celebrated. The fans were constantly supportive and stayed until the bitter end as both teams fed off their energy. I can’t wait to see enjoy the crowd in the next two rounds.
7. Xavier Head Coach Sean Marinan stated after the game that this was the strongest all-around game Xavier had played all season. Certainly a nice way to start off your playoff run. I and no one I’ve talked to believe the Falcons can be matched up with on any level, and they seem to be the biggest favorite in the state in a long time. The LL playoffs are a coronation for Xavier. Every other team is just in their way.