Xaverian vs Bishop Feehan Week 1 (9/11/26)

On the 25th Anniversary of the tragic events that occurred on September 11th, we remember the thousands of victims who lost their lives. Xaverian opened its quest for a fourth consecutive state championship by hosting Bishop Feehan. The game was a shootout from the opening kickoff to the final whistle. Bishop Feehan capitalized on a [player_tooltip player_id='1549733' first='Sargent' last='Chizmadia'] fumble on the opening kickoff with an [player_tooltip player_id='1397545' first='Xavier' last='Baker'] 21-yard rushing touchdown. Xaverian responded with a [player_tooltip player_id='408630' first='William' last='Wood'] 18-yard touchdown pass to Nick Harding. [player_tooltip player_id='408630' first='William' last='Wood'] hit [player_tooltip player_id='1118649' first='Jackson' last='Holmes'] for a 67-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Baker, with an explosive 82-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, reached the 1,000-yard rushing mark in Bishop Feehan history. [player_tooltip player_id='1397545' first='Xavier' last='Baker'] scored two touchdowns with over 100 yards rushing. [player_tooltip player_id='408630' first='William' last='Wood'] would have a 15-yard rushing touchdown. Bishop Feehan opened up the second half with a 76-yard touchdown reception from Dexter Izzo and another one for 21 yards. Meanwhile, [player_tooltip player_id='2082984' first='Rocco' last='Sestito'] left the game early with an unidentified injury, which changed the Hawks' rushing attack. Wood hit Chizmadia for a momentum-changing 42-yard touchdown, which tied the game with a two-point conversion with 1:37 to go in the 3rd quarter. Wood threw the go-ahead touchdown to Sanasusto in the fourth quarter before Bishop Feehan struck back to tie it up. As Xaverian looked to end the game, Bishop Feehan blocked the kick to send the game into overtime. [player_tooltip player_id='408630' first='William' last='Wood'] hit Connor Keene with a game-winning touchdown with ice in his veins.   Final Score: Bishop Feehan: 36, Xaverian: 42   Stars of the Game    Evaluation: Baker is a small, undersized back who plays the game with quickness and speed. He has superb vision to see the lanes, allowing him to cut back quickly and explode through the hole with a burst of speed. While he isn't known for being elusive, Baker is a north-and-south runner who isn't afraid to run through contact. Baker breaks tackles, blending elusiveness with physicality. He needs to open up his opportunities in the passing game and in pass protection.     Wood's Deep Ball accuracy was pinpoint. The leadership and command of the huddle are the most consistent. The biggest improvement is that he keeps his eyes downfield. Wood was seen getting the ball out quickly as he went through his progressions. Threw four touchdowns. Rushed for one touchdown with over 200 passing yards. Wood continues to show toughness after taking big hits, especially when facing heavy pressure. Will Wood has the even-keeled poise in the pocket in clutch situations.     Evaluation: An absolute burner with the ball in his hands who is a threat in the passing game and return game. As a receiver, he gets a sudden release off the line, enabling him to separate against man coverage. He has the versatility to play outside and in the slot. He catches the ball with strong hands and can elude defenders with quickness and speed to gain yardage after the catch. He has top-notch sideline awareness while keeping his feet in bounds, constantly adjusting his catch radius. He is a polished route runner capable of running the entire route tree. He has the instincts for finding soft spots in zone coverage. The area of development is ball tracking and decision-making, as he lost the football on the opening kickoff. He needs to make better decisons on when to return and when to take the touchback     Constantly Churning Yards after contact by falling forward. Used in the passing game with crisp route-running ability. Needs to be more instinctive in pass protection when picking up the blitz.     Evaluation: A dynamic two-way player as a receiver and corner. On offense, he gets a nice release off the line, allowing him to separate. He is a deep-ball threat who brings play speed by using his catch radius to make tough plays. He needs to be willing to spring a block on the perimeter to increase his play style. Holmes is a solid route runner who exploits soft spots in zone coverage. On defense, he is very instinctive in route recognition. Closes in on the ball carrier rapidly with a sharp tackling angle. Holmes is never afraid to stick his nose in and make a tackle. Very physical in man coverage by stalemating the receivers at the line of scrimmage. However, he needs to work on his ball skills to make plays.     Evaluation: A heavy-framed tackle who plays the game with athleticism. At the snap of the ball, he fires out of his stance. In the run game, he has a solid second-level track, climbing up to the linebackers with ease. Hochstein is a physical player at the point of attack, moving defenders off the ball in a phone booth. He keeps his feet firing on contact, though he needs to widen his base, which sometimes narrows. In pass protection, he needs to be more aware of blitzes. He delivers a firm punch inside the breastplate. Hochstein is a knee bender who brings a stout anchor to absorb speed-to-power moves.     Evaluation: A small, short-statured receiver who plays faster and bigger than his size. At the snap of the ball, he gains ground on his release, separating with quickness. Izzo is a solid route runner who exploits soft spots in zone coverage. He catches the ball with soft hands and turns short gains into chunk plays with his yards after catch prowess. He is very competitive in contested catch situations, adjusting his catch radius. As a returner, he needs to make better decisions on when to return the ball. He gets his feet in the right position with his elbows in when fielding kicks.

On the 25th Anniversary of the tragic events that occurred on September 11th, we remember the thousands of victims who lost their lives. Xaverian opened its quest for a fourth consecutive state championship by hosting Bishop Feehan. The game was a shootout from the opening kickoff to the final whistle. Bishop Feehan capitalized on a Sargent Chizmadia Sargent Chizmadia 5'10" | 165 lbs | WR/DB Xaverian Brothers | 2028 State New E fumble on the opening kickoff with an Xavier Baker Xavier Baker 5'8" | 163 lbs | ATH Bishop Feehan | 2027 State New E 21-yard rushing touchdown. Xaverian responded with a William Wood William Wood 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Xaverian Brothers | 2027 State New E 18-yard touchdown pass to Nick Harding. William Wood William Wood 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Xaverian Brothers | 2027 State New E hit Jackson Holmes Jackson Holmes 5'11" | 178 lbs | DB Xaverian Brothers | 2028 State New E for a 67-yard touchdown in the second quarter. Baker, with an explosive 82-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, reached the 1,000-yard rushing mark in Bishop Feehan history. Xavier Baker Xavier Baker 5'8" | 163 lbs | ATH Bishop Feehan | 2027 State New E scored two touchdowns with over 100 yards rushing. William Wood William Wood 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Xaverian Brothers | 2027 State New E would have a 15-yard rushing touchdown. Bishop Feehan opened up the second half with a 76-yard touchdown reception from Dexter Izzo and another one for 21 yards. Meanwhile, Rocco Sestito Rocco Sestito 5'10" | 190 lbs | RB Xaverian Brothers | 2028 State New E left the game early with an unidentified injury, which changed the Hawks' rushing attack. Wood hit Chizmadia for a momentum-changing 42-yard touchdown, which tied the game with a two-point conversion with 1:37 to go in the 3rd quarter. Wood threw the go-ahead touchdown to Sanasusto in the fourth quarter before Bishop Feehan struck back to tie it up. As Xaverian looked to end the game, Bishop Feehan blocked the kick to send the game into overtime. William Wood William Wood 6'2" | 195 lbs | QB Xaverian Brothers | 2027 State New E hit Connor Keene with a game-winning touchdown with ice in his veins.