Fourth-quarter surge sends Xaverian back to Gillette

BROCKTON — With Xaverian in need of a hero, Luke Bell donned his cape.

Bell had a pair of pick-sixes, with the game-sealing one from 45-yards out, to go with a 40-yard field goal to send No. 3 Xaverian (8-3) to the Div. 1 Super Bowl with a 31-14 win over No. 2 BC High on Saturday afternoon at Rocky Marciano Stadium.

Xaverian will now look to defend its Super Bowl title against Needham at Gillette Stadium. Xaverian and Needham played last year in the Div. 1 State Semifinals with Xaverian coming away with a 20-17 victory.

On top of Bell’s two interceptions, Dave Chiavegato also had a pick for the Hawks defense. During the regular season the Hawks suffered a pair of losses in consecutive weeks: a devastating three-point loss to Catholic Memorial, then a 17-point blowout at the hands of BC High.

“We just used all of our losses as motivation,” Bell said. “We had a great week of practice this week and we have been able to stay focused on the task.”

Courtesy of a 14-yard touchdown run from Jackson Richard, BC High (9-2) led 14-7 after three. Xaverian seemed poised to tie the game early in the 4th quarter when Will Wood connected with Will Benting for an 8-yard touchdown, but the extra point attempt was bobbled, keeping the Eagles in front 14-13.

One drive later, the Hawks took the lead for the first time with Bryce Todd breaking straight up the gut for a 53-yard score to put Xaverian on top 21-14. Todd (23 carries, 111 yards) put in a sturdy effort in place of star running back Vincent Busa, who went down with an ankle injury in the first half.

Facing a fourth-and-16 on its own 17-yard line, BC High elected to try a fake punt. It failed, setting up the Hawks deep inside BC High territory. Bell drilled a 40-yard field goal to make it a 24-14 game with 3:11 left.

That set the stage for Bell’s finishing touche. The linebacker stepped in front of a Carter Carroll pass for the second time and went 45 yards to seal the victory.

“I was getting towards the end zone and (Carroll) was the last thing stopping me,” Bell said. “Once I got past him just pure joy was running through me. Diving in was the best feeling.”

Bell’s first pick-six of the day came when he snagged a Carroll pass over the middle of the field and sprinted down the far sideline 49 yards for a score.