Throughout the Vikings’ ascent to the top seed in the CHSFL AA-1 division, defense has been St. Joseph by the Sea’s defining characteristic.
The Huguenot school entered Friday’s final game against St. Peter’s with a CHSFL-low 128 points for the season. In 13 starts, the team only let up more than 20 points twice and recorded three shutouts.
Therefore, nobody should be surprised that the Vikings defense would be the main focus of the game on Friday night at Monsignor Farrell’s Dennis Barrett Stadium against the Eagles’ high-octane offense.
Defensive coordinator Matt Muscarello’s team repeatedly answered the bell, but they were unable to defeat New Brighton, the No. 2 seed, until defensive back Matt Fuentes stopped backup quarterback Anthony D. Acunto’s Hail Mary attempt at the last second to defeat their Island rivals 8–7 in the championship game.
With the game on the line, I want to do everything in my power to make a play at that moment, said junior defensive back Fuentes. Our defense has been excellent all season long; we are the league’s finest defense, but in that particular instance, we made the perfect play call, formed the right formation, and won. It’s an incredible sensation that I will always remember.
Having coached this specific senior class when they were freshmen, Muscarello recognized right away that he had a unique group.
“First of all, St. Peter’s is an incredible team. They are difficult to catch, but our boys never gave up and they succeeded,” Muscarello said. Both as a squad and as a defensive unit, I’m really pleased of them. We are a community that plays defense. We made adjustments when necessary based on matchups and what we observed, and the boys kept coming on and off the field to tell me what they saw.
Muscarello continued, “I knew these boys because I had coached them for a few years, but once coach (Tressor) Baptiste took over and started putting his defense and knowledge into practice, I knew the possibilities were endless.” The boys deserve the credit since they bought in.
The two most potent offensive players in the league, tailback Jeremiah Williams and all-around QB/RB/WR Marco Aruta, were on the Eagles going into the game, and they led the AA-1 with 337 points for the season.
On the Eagles’ first drive of the game, Aruta scored the team’s only touchdown. However, the senior standout was sidelined for the remainder of the first half after suffering what appeared to be an ankle injury on the team’s subsequent possession. In the second, he would play sporadically but primarily as a decoy, altering the dynamics of the game.
Naturally, we prepared for #3 (Aruta) since he is an excellent player, but we also felt ready for anything they would do because we had watched so much of their footage, Muscarello added.
Sea’s defense performed admirably the entire time with Aruta out. After the half, they only allowed three first downs, 11 running yards, and a pitiful 62 total yards against St. Peter’s.
The Vikings co-captain and game MVP, Dean Coscia, led the charge. Throughout the game, the senior linebacker and tackling machine made significant plays, but the Eagles’ final-minute attempt to win the championship was the biggest.
At 1:07, STP overtook its own 27 and Coscia sacked Vallely for a six-yard loss after Joe Solla batted down a first-down ball attempt.
“I’m speechless,” Coscia grinned. The sensation of winning this tournament is amazing. As a team, we accomplished the target we set. I adore these men.
In a game played on a slippery field in a constant downpour, the Eagles defense would square off against their South Shore rivals, but ultimately, the Vikings defense led their side to victory.
John Munson, a senior lineman, finished with two pressures, four tackles, and a tackle for loss.
They scored on the opening drive of the game, and we denied them any more opportunities, proving that we are the league’s finest defense, Munson said. We continued to play hard. They were unable to get the pass game going once we stopped the run. I never had any doubts about my teammates. We were sure we would finish the job, regardless of who was playing for them. “Wonderful feeling,” the senior continued.
In addition to being a three-man wrecking crew, the team was a cohesive one that supported one another at practice and on game day week after week.
Senior defensive backs Damian Aviles and Luigi Biondolillo, juniors Anthony Ferrari and Hunter Racioppo, and senior linemen Marco Domante and Steven Ingenita all made significant contributions. However, the linebacking corps, which included outstanding soph Joey Moran, Solla, and seniors Coscia, was the heart and soul. DB Along with three tackles, Anthony Lavezzoli got a pick and a sack, and he had a significant influence on both offense and special teams.
After overcoming a difficult two-year start to his head coaching tenure, Baptiste guided his Vikings to their first championship since the 2004 season.
We remained loyal to ourselves and played defense in the same manner as we have throughout the season. “We had to play Viking football to the best of our abilities,” Baptiste said. Our guys adore playing for each other, and they come every day. We were successful in controlling the field zones, and our mantra on D is “11 hats to the ball.” We put a lot of time, emotion, and energy into what we preach.
Coach Muscarello and his staff, which includes coaches Mike Adamo, Nick Giustra, and Brandon Young, commended the third-year mentor for getting it done today as they have done all year.
And the Vikings are champs for that.
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