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Xaverian’s defensive line fails to halt Vikings’ aggressive ground game

Xaverian’s defensive line fails to halt Vikings’ aggressive ground game
Photo by Steve Solomonson

Xaverian’s defensive line was no match for St. Joseph by-the-Sea’s aggressive ground game on Friday as the Clippers fell to the Vikings 46–36 at Aviator Sports and Events Center in Mill Basin — despite an impressive showing by Xaverian quarterback Zach Kearney.

Kearney threw for 135 yards and three touchdowns — including a 53-yard bomb to senior Jonathan Badyna — and ran for two more scores, but the Vikings ripped right through the Clippers’ blockers as the gridiron squad from the Rock churned out almost 300 yards in a grueling attack that left Xaverian coach Joe DeSiena shaking his head.

“The defense can’t hang its hat on this performance,” DeSiena said.

St. Joseph by-the-Sea took a 24–14 lead going into halftime, but Xaverian came out of the break scoring three back-to-back touchdowns that would snag the team a 35–24 lead with 3:25 left in the frame.

Yet the third quarter rally was short lived: the Clippers couldn’t put the brakes on the Vikings’s next two fourth-quarter touchdown runs and were unable to send the ball down field on its next possession. Xaverian ultimately turned the ball over on downs — and watched as the Vikings iced the game with another touchdown.

Xaverian quarterback Zack Kearney (no. 4) had a great game, throwing for 135 yards and three touchdowns, in the loss.
Photo by Steve Solomonson