St Paul's Undefeated Season; Wins the Papas Bowl 23-20

High School Sports Elite • Nov 16, 2024

Photo Credits:

Photo Credit Michael Seamans

John Papas Bowl Game

The John Papas Bowl, a prestigious event in New England prep school football, is set to feature a compelling matchup today, November 16, 2024, at 1:00 PM. The undefeated Buckingham Browne & Nichols School (BB&N) Knights from Cambridge, Massachusetts, will face the St. Paul's School Big Red from Concord, New Hampshire, at Boston College's Alumni Stadium.

The John Papas Bowl: Honoring a Legacy

Named after the esteemed coach John Papas, who significantly contributed to New England high school football, the John Papas Bowl celebrates excellence and sportsmanship. This annual event brings together top-tier teams, showcasing the region's football talent and honoring Coach Papas's enduring legacy.

St. Paul's Big Red: A Tradition of Excellence

St. Paul's School boasts a rich football heritage, with multiple NEPSAC bowl championships, including the John Papas Bowl in 2022. The Big Red have demonstrated resilience and skill this season, earning their spot in today's bowl game through strategic play and determination.

Key Players to Watch

St. Paul's offensive lineup features standout players such as senior wide receiver Teigan Pelletier and Landon Clark who have been instrumental in the team's aerial attack, and senior running back Michael Seward Jr., known for his powerful rushing performances. QB Weber Marx has put up impressive numbers behind one of the best OLines in New England  

Coach's Perspective

Head Coach Craig Vandersea expressed confidence in his team's preparation, stating, "Our players have shown tremendous dedication and growth throughout the season. Facing a formidable opponent like BB&N is a challenge we're ready to embrace."


SPS Wins Papas Bowl 23-20 over BBN

On Saturday, November 16, 2024, St. Paul's School from Concord, New Hampshire, edged out Buckingham Browne & Nichols (BB&N) in a thrilling football game at Boston College's Alumni Stadium. The game, part of the John Papas Bowl, ended with a tight score of 23-20 in favor of St. Paul's.

This NEPSAC playoff matchup featured two powerhouse teams. BB&N entered the game as the 2024 Independent School League (ISL) Champions with an undefeated regular season. Likewise, St. Paul's boasted an unblemished record, having claimed the Evergreen League title earlier in the season.

The game was a battle of determination and skill, with both teams delivering standout performances. St. Paul's ultimately secured the win with a late-game field goal, cementing their dominance in New England preparatory school football for the 2024 season.

SPS scored with 1:00 to go in the game to take the lead 23-20. SPS intercepted a ball on the next BBN possession and then got a got a huge first down to be able to kneel out the clock and seal the victory.

The victory highlights the depth and resilience of St. Paul's football program, while BB&N's valiant effort reinforced their standing as one of the region's top teams. The atmosphere at Boston College's Alumni Stadium added an extra layer of excitement, making this championship game a memorable event for players, coaches, and fans alike. 



Source Link: https://athletics.sps.edu/news/2024/11/16/v-football-sps-wins-papas-bowl-23-20-over-bbn.aspx

Athlete's Latest Article

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St. Paul’s (N.H.) to a John Papas Bowl win

Nov 16, 2024

By Graham Dietz Boston Globe Correspondent,Craig Vandersea was not oblivious. He knew Bo MacCormack was going to show up.“When you’re playing against the best back in the Northeast — and he’s unbelievable — you know you have to slow him down,” said Vandersea, coach of St. Paul’s School (N.H.). “We weren’t gonna stop him.”Vandersea was right. Maccormack finished Saturday’s game with 26 carries for 180 yards and two scores. Playing on his future home field at Alumni Stadium, the Boston College-bound tailback ran wild in the second half, allowing Buckingham Browne & Nichols to recover from a 9-point halftime deficit to take a 20-16 lead with 4:44 left to play.But the Big Red’s backfield, led by senior captain Michael Seward, showed just as much resilience.Seward compiled 179 yards on the ground and scored all three of St. Paul’s touchdowns, including the winner with one minute remaining, to secure a 23-20 victory over BB&N in the 2024 NEPSAC John Papas Bowl. It was the second time in three years St. Paul (9-0) got the best of the Knights in a bowl game.Seward experienced that 2022 win in limited fashion as a little-used sophomore. Now, he will relish the taste of victory after devouring BB&N’s defense.“I knew from the beginning of the year, our senior class was strong enough,” said Seward. “I knew we could get it done, and I felt like our offensive line was just more gritty. They wanted it more. I’ve never seen them get after it like they did today.”BB&N had a chance to at least tie the game in the final minute, but Lee Brady hauled in an over-the-shoulder interception in double-coverage, his second of the day off BB&N’s Damon Taylor.Taylor’s first pick came on BB&N’s third possession and resulted in a 13-play drive for the Big Red, which Seward capped with a 13-yard field goal to make it 16-7 before halftime. 6-foot-8-inch St. Paul’s safety Landon Clark caught the interception.Despite the loss, MacCormack got his first taste of what it will be like to play on the Alumni Stadium turf. While there will be many more performances for the senior on BC’s lower campus, the sting of a loss in his final game in a Knights’ uniform hurts.“I like winning,” Maccormack said. “It doesn’t really matter what field it was.”

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St Paul's Beats Hamden Hall on the Road and Remain Undefeated

Nov 02, 2024

St. Paul's extended their winning streak with a powerful 38-16 victory over Hamden Hall Country Day, showcasing a dynamic offense and a steadfast defense.Sophomore quarterback Webber Marx led the Big Red's passing game, completing 4 of 10 attempts for 115 yards, including a 51-yard bomb that highlighted his passing efficiency. Marx finished the game with a QB rating of 116.7 and connected for one touchdown, securing a key play for the team.Hamden Hall's quarterback, Charley Gulbin, had a busier game in the air, completing 20 of 32 attempts for 194 yards. Despite his consistency, the Big Red defense limited his average yardage per pass to 9.7, and he managed only one touchdown while throwing an interception.St. Paul's rushing game was the star of the night, totaling an impressive 350 yards on the ground. Senior M. Seward Jr. led with 220 yards on 22 carries, averaging 10.0 yards per rush and scoring two touchdowns. Senior T. Pelletier added an explosive 79 yards on only two carries, including a long 51-yard run, while Landon Clark contributed 35 yards. Marx also contributed to the scoreboard with a rushing touchdown.In contrast, Hamden Hall struggled to establish a ground game, accumulating only 54 rushing yards. Senior Asher Wasserman provided 36 yards, with Gulbin adding another 18 yards and a rushing touchdownThe Big Red's defense played a crucial role in limiting Hamden Hall's offensive opportunities. Senior T. Pelletier led with 12 total tackles, including a tackle for loss, while Harlem Taylor and Charlie Taylor each recorded a sack. Junior Anderson Brady made a key interception, returning it 33 yards to set up excellent field position.Hamden Hall's defensive standout was Wasserman, who made 14 tackles, including two for loss. Despite their efforts, they couldn't hold back St. Paul's relentless rushing attack.Seward Jr. converted all four PATs, finishing with 16 total points. Marx added another six points with his touchdown, while Seward's two touchdowns and 220 rushing yards carried the offense. On Hamden Hall's side, Jay Scanlon was consistent in PATs, going 2-for-2.St. Paul's dominant rushing attack, backed by a solid defensive performance, allowed them to control the game and limit Hamden Hall's scoring opportunities. This win bolsters St. Paul's impressive season, extending their record and affirming their position as a formidable force this season.

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St Paul's Still Undefeated as They Beat Berkshire at Home

Nov 02, 2024

Picture Credit - Michael SeamansSt. Paul's football team continued their undefeated 2024 campaign with a thrilling 42-24 victory over Berkshire School. With standout performances on both sides of the ball, St. Paul's outlasted their opponent to secure their seventh straight win in a season filled with electrifying moments.Offensive Powerhouse: M. Seward Jr.Senior running back M. Seward Jr. led the charge, delivering a dominant performance with 26 carries for a staggering 219 yards and 5 touchdowns, his longest run of 58 yards setting the tone for the offense. His agility and speed helped Big Red control the ground game with an impressive 7.7 yards per carry, outpacing Berkshire's 120-yard rushing total.Sophomore quarterback Webber Marx also contributed with 129 passing yards on 5 completions, including a 37-yard strike to senior T. Pelletier, who led the receivers with 3 catches for 74 yards and a touchdown. This balance kept the Berkshire defense on their heels, as St. Paul's executed 54 total plays to maintain offensive control.Defensive BackboneSt. Paul's defense was formidable, posting 53 tackles with 9 tackles for loss, spearheaded by junior Braden Gilligan, who recorded 9 total tackles and an impressive 4 sacks, resulting in a loss of 24 yards for Berkshire. The defensive unit's pressure forced key stops, while senior T. Pelletier grabbed an interception to stymie Berkshire's offense. The defense was relentless, limiting Berkshire to 12 first downs and leveraging big defensive moments to build momentum.Special Teams PrecisionIn special teams, Seward Jr. added consistency, successfully converting all 6 PATs, and junior Anderson Brady contributed 62 return yards, helping St. Paul's secure favorable field position throughout the game.Game Recap and Next StepsWith their 42-24 victory, Big Red not only showcased offensive firepower but also highlighted their defense's playmaking ability, keeping their undefeated season alive at 7-0. With each game, Coach Vandersea's squad has continued to build on last year's success and looks ready for their next game on Saturday November 9th @ Portsmouth Abbey.