Xaverian football falls to Fordham Prep in CHSFL A finals

November 21, 2014 By Rob Abruzzese Brooklyn Daily Eagle

Brandon Peterson led the Xaverian Clippers with 162 yards rushing, but that wasn’t enough as they fell to Fordham Prep 35-14 in the CHSFL A finals at Fordham University on Friday. Eagle photo by Rob Abruzzese.

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As Xaverian head coach Mike Jioia watched Fordham Prep’s Michael Bronzo return a punt 61 yards for a touchdown, he couldn’t help but think back to Xaverian’s 12-7 loss to Christ the King earlier in the year and recall a feeling of déjà vu.

“It was the same situation as Christ the King,” Jioia said. “That punt turned the entire game around. We had just scored, they return a kick 69 yards, we hold them, they hold us, we punted to them and they returned it. That was it. That was the breaking point.”

Xaverian played well for three quarters against Fordham Prep, but after that punt returned for a touchdown, the Clippers never got back into the game and eventually lost 35-14 in the New York City Catholic High School Football League’s A Division championship at Fordham University last Friday.

“That play slowed us down there,” Xaverian running back Brandon Peterson admitted afterward. “We kept our heads up and kept fighting, but obviously we just couldn’t come back.”

Up to that point, Xaverian had played well. Fordham Prep struck first when it scored on a 23-yard pass to Baeli Polanco just five seconds into the second quarter that made it 6-0. Xaverian immediately struck back and took a 7-6 lead on a 44-yard run by Brandon Peterson. Fordham Prep took a 12-7 lead into halftime, though, when Josh Johnson scored on a four-yard run with 12 seconds left in the half.

In the second half, Fordham Prep started off with a 69-yard kickoff return by Bronzo that was stopped at the 19. Xaverian’s defense held the Rams there and eventually forced a turnover on downs. Unfortunately, Xaverian couldn’t capitalize and the ensuing punt was returned for the back-breaking touchdown.

Peterson finished with 162 yards rushing for Xaverian. After the game, Jioia called Peterson the team’s spiritual leader and said that he wanted at least three more players just like him.

“How he goes is how we go,” Jioia said. “If he’s injured, he’s on the sideline getting everyone together. He’s a leader in the weight room. In school, he picks everyone up. You can’t say anything more.”

The final was disappointing for the Clippers, but they were proud of how strong they finished, considering the many injuries they had to endure throughout the year. With just 37 kids listed on the roster to begin with, Xaverian played with as few as 16 players at times during the season.

“It’s a resilient bunch of guys,” Jioia said. “I’m proud of what they’ve accomplished. The way this season went, with the highs and lows, it’s remarkable that we even got here.”

With just 14 graduating seniors on the team, Jioia and Peterson both hope that the Clippers can build off this season and come back even stronger next year.