GLOBE SOUTH
Defense anchors fast start for East Bridgewater
TOM LANDERS/GLOBE STAFF
East Bridgewater coach Shawn Tarpey went over a play with his offensive players during practice earlier in the season. The Vikings are off to a 5-0 start, topping the South Shore League.
Pat O’Neill came ready to play, determined that his last game against South Shore League rival Cohasset would not end with a loss.
In the third quarter of last week’s matchup, his East Bridgewater Vikings comfortably ahead, 36-0, there was no letup from the senior lineman. The 6-foot, 210-pound senior plowed through the line of scrimmage, wrapped his arms around quarterback Jamie Faber, and took him down on the 37-yard line, for a loss of eight yards, recording his fourth sack of the season.
The Vikings’ durable defensive ship has sailed the team to a 5-0 start and the top of the South Shore League this season.
The Skippers did not score until the fourth quarter.
“We pride ourselves on defense,’’ said O’Neill, who also registered two tackles. “We’ve worked more on defense the past few years and really made it a big priority for the football team.’’
“Cohasset’s gotten us the past years,’’ said O’Neill. “When we beat them we had a weight lifted off our shoulders.’’
Cohasset shut out East Bridgewater, 24-0, last season.
O’Neill prepared for his senior season by attending football camps at Boston College and Stonehill College in addition to Viking Camp in East Bridgewater. “I was able to get back into it quicker after the camps,’’ said O’Neill. “ The entire team as a unit got into it more quickly after camp.’’
He added: “We’re more experienced this year. . . . We had a lot of sophomores play last year that are now juniors.’’
East Bridgewater coach Shawn Tarpey calls O’Neill “a heck of a player.’’
Not the most vocal captain, O’Neill still makes his presence known. “Pat absolutely leads by example,’’ said Tarpey. “Casey DeAndrade and Tim O’Brien get a lot of attention offensively but Pat knows his role. He’s embraced the fact that he’s going to be the guy that goes out there in the trenches and leads those guys in front.’’
O’Neill likes to keep things light by having a friendly competition for sacks with junior end Brett Palaschack. “We’re tied now at four and four. I love getting them.’’
The Vikings also lean on senior Trevor Whitcher, a 6-foot, 175-pound split end/linebacker for defensive leadership.
“My favorite part of the game is when the hole opens up and the running back is coming through and it’s me one-on-one with him,’’ said Whitcher, who made three tackles against Cohasset.
Whitcher showcased his skills when he threw his shoulder into Cohasset running back Kyle Livingstone, smacking him to the ground, denying the Skippers a first down on a fourth and inches run.
“Cohasset came out hitting hard last year. Coach showed us the film from last year,’’ said Whitcher. “We didn’t put up a fight. We got killed. We just wanted to beat them this year.’’
“Trevor has played for three years and he brings a lot of experience,’’ said Tarpey. “He calls the defense. He doesn’t look like your typical linebacker - tall, big - but he’s tough and he runs the ball really well. When he does his job, it makes everyone else’s job better.’’
Like O’Neill, Whitcher attended camps at BC and in East Bridgewater to get ready for the season.
“We had a pass league where we played 7-on-7 with Division 1 teams,’’ he said. “That was great preparation for us for the season, seeing as we’re Division 4.’’
O’Brien, the senior quarterback, lauded the play of the defense.
“It’s tough for teams to break through them,’’ he said. “If everyone does their job on defense, then offense will do their job, and we’ll have similar results on Thursday for the rest of the season.’’
He said the win over Cohasset “was probably one of the best wins I’ve been a part of. Everyone played as a team. Everyone did their job.’’
O’Brien also plays safety, helping out on the defensive side.
“I like being out there,’’ he said. “It drives me nuts when I’m on the sidelines.’’
This season, according to Whitcher, team chemistry is much better.
“This year we’re more like a family,’’ he said. “We had it last year and we lost it,’’ he said. “We had a lot of talent last year but we just couldn’t pull it together. This year we’ve worked as one.’’
Mansfield’s Rapoza doesn’t skip a beat
With its lead rusher, senior captain Greg Donahue, out with a rib injury, Mansfield turned to junior Rob Rapoza. He stepped forward for the Hornets, rushing for 127 yards on 11 carries while scoring three touchdowns in the 49-19 win over Sharon.
“Rob really did a great job,’’ said Mansfield coach Mike Redding after his team improved to 4-1. “He usually doesn’t get that many carries with Donahue in, but he did a nice job this weekend.’’
Mansfield squares off against Attleboro tomorrow.
Dragons offense shows strength
Duxbury continued to roll, stepping up to defeat Catholic Conference leader Xaverian, 31-14. Dragons QB Matt O’Keefewent 16 of 26 for 233 yards and a pair of touchdown passes. Junior Reilly Naton had three catches, including a 72-yard touchdown pass and an interception for the Dragons.
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