Crusaders Getting Lanced by Big Plays

The big preseason news for the Bishop Fenwick football team was their installation of a new "Spread" offense. Two weeks into the season, the headline for the Crusaders has been its inability to prevent the big play.

So far this year, Bishop Fenwick has given up nine touchdowns on defense. They have given up rushing touchdowns of  31, 37, 65, 70, 73 and 71 yards and passing TD's of 49, 92 and 25 yards. Even the touchdown the offense gave up was big - a 40 yard interception return.

With those kinds of numbers, it is no surprise that Bishop Fenwick comes into the game against the Pioneers Friday night 0-2 after lopsided losses to Saugus 41-20 and Weston 28-6. But I would caution you against thinking the Pioneers are going to waltz onto Donaldson Field and repeat their performances against Manchester Essex and Georgetown.

The Crusaders, a Division 3A team like the Pioneers, were stepping up in both games. Saugus is from Division 3 Northeast Small and Weston hails from Division 2A Dual County Small. I would expect this to be a much more competitive game for Lynnfield.

Bishop Fenwick was in both games, trailing at the half 21-8 to Saugus and only 7-6 to Weston, after dominating most of the first two periods.

One thing you can be sure of. Footballs will be in the air Friday night.

Crusader coach Dave Woods has gone to the spread offense full time this year after dabbling with it over the last few seasons. Senior Brett Kidik is at the controls and he has certainly taken advantage throwing 76 passes in his first two games. The Pioneer secondary needs to be ready for a hail of leather.

"They throw the ball quite a bit," said Pioneer head coach Neal Weidman. "They whip it around. They have some nice receivers and (Kidik) is good. They also have a good running back."

Against Saugus, Kidik was 32 for 47 for 321 yards and a touchdown. Against Weston, he was 11 for 29 for 100 yards with a pair of interceptions. Kidik played the Weston game on a gimpy hamstring but is hoping to be ready for the Pioneers.

Bishop Fenwick will come into the game with 15 seniors and an experienced line. Kidik's main targets are Ryan Lipka, tight end Jake Bugler, who caught two TD passes against Saugus and tailback Tyler Thomann. Eamon Barrett (6'3", 225) and Billy Klemczuk (6'3", 210) provide the quarterback with two more huge targets.

After installing the spread at Lynnfield in 2005, Weidman knows how difficult the first year with a new offense can be.

"It really depends on the personnel," Weidman said. "It's not just the spread. It's any new offense you put in. If the kids have only been running it for two or three weeks they're not going to be as good as if they've been running it for two or three years. That's just the way it is."

Bishop Fenwick has been a power in the Catholic Central Large conference for much or the past 15 years having won the league championship in 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001 and 2003. They also won Superbowls in 1999 and 2000 under Woods.

However they have struggled a bit in recent years with a 5-6 mark in 2008 and a 4-7 season last year. Woods was quoted in the Lynn Item as saying that this team is as good as they've been in recent years.

This should be the toughest test to date for the Pioneers, who begin a stretch of four straight non league games in preparation for the balance of their CAL Small schedule beginning October 22. You can look forward to a wide open affair.

Another unexpected wrinkle comes in the form of the weather. The forecast calls for temperatures near 80 at kickoff time, so conditioning could come into play.

Game time in Peabody is 7 pm.

OD'S Run
Just a word about the OD's 7th Annual Memorial Run/Walk to be held Sunday morning at 10 am at the High School .

The race is held to raise funds for scholarships in memory of Johnny (OD) O'Donnell former Pioneer football player who passed away in 2003 at the age of 19. The event serves as a tribute to Johnny's short life.

You can participate in the 5K road race or walk. For further information contact Karen Mahon at 508-528-1286 or odsrunwalk@comcast.net or go to www.odsrunwalk.weebly.com.