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Crusaders hope to overcome injuries in showdown with Swampscott

Thursday, October, 11 By Matt Jenkins
Staff writer

Bishop Fenwick football coach Dave Woods gets a new appreciation for Bobby Tarr with every game film he watches. In a season of uncertainty, Tarr has been Fenwick's constant.

The Crusaders, who face another major obstacle tomorrow night when they host 4-1 Swampscott, have battled injuries since dropping their first game of the season to Masconomet three weeks ago. At this point, Tarr may not even know the names of some of the players blocking for him, but it hasn't stopped the record-breaking back from piling up yardage in his senior season.

"It all starts with Bobby. He's the best back I've seen this year," Swampscott coach Steve Dembowski said. "He can make you miss and run you over. Most of their offense goes through him. You have to stay in your lanes, cover the gaps, and swarm to the ball. He's been able to score on long runs and short runs. He's good."

Tarr is already over 1,000 yards this season, and with six games remaining he seems poised to at least make a run at the 2,491 yards he rolled out a year ago.

In many ways, Tarr's production this year is even more impressive than what he accomplished last year due to the fact he has played many games without linemen Cody Johnson, Lucas Sobezenski, and John Moran and fullback T.J. Fossa. "He's been incredible," Woods said. "You take it for granted because he does it so often, and he's so good. He draws praise from every coach we play against, and coach (Steve) Dembowski doesn't throw it around much on other players, so I know he's a pretty good player."

Johnson, Moran, and Fossa will each be out of the lineup again this week, while defensive backs Brendan Barrett, Kyle White and Ben Terenzoni will also miss the game. Barrett and White are Fenwick's first and second-string kickers as well, leaving the Crusaders in a kicking conundrum.

Terenzoni tore his ACL in Fenwick's loss to Hingham two weeks ago, and has to have surgery. The senior, who captains the hockey team, will be out for six months.

"Every year every team has injuries, but it seems like every week we get one back and lose two more," Woods said. "I feel bad for the kids who can't get out there and play. Cody, John, T.J. and all the seniors were dying for the season to come. They've worked so hard, and they want to play. It's tough being on the sidelines. By the same token, the kids who have stepped in have done a pretty good job. They put 11 on the field and we put 11 on the field. You have to do the job."

The Fenwick defensive backfield will really be counted on to do the job tomorrow. Only junior Dan Kennedy is a regular starter. Senior John Baker, who is also Fenwick's quarterback, sophomore Chris Renzulli, and junior Pat Holleran will be asked to slow down Swampscott's dangerous passing attack.

Although Dembowski still feels his offense has not put a complete game together, quarterback Peter Kinchley has plenty of capable receivers.

"They're capable, but the skill positions still need to play better," Dembowski said. "The offensive line did an outstanding job, but we need to make more plays with the skill players. We have some of the occasional breakdowns, which hurt."

Fenwick-Swampscott Midseason Showdown

Who: Swampscott (4-1) vs. Bishop Fenwick (3-2)

When: Tomorrow night (7 p.m.) at Donaldson Field, Peabody.

What's at stake: For both teams tomorrow's matchup is the final regular season game that can't hurt their postseason hopes. And both teams have postseason hopes. Through a fast start this fall, Swampscott has established itself as a definite favorite to win the Northeastern Conference South title, which now carries a postseason berth with the addition of Peabody to the league. Fenwick, meanwhile, came into the year as the early favorite to win the Catholic Central League.

Last meeting: Swampscott defeated Fenwick, 14-7, with a last minute touchdown last year at Blocksidge Field in Swampscott.

Key matchup: Each team has a different key matchup this time around. For Fenwick, it's their inexperienced defensive backs against Swampscott's athletic group of receivers. Dan Kennedy, John Baker, Chris Renzulli and Pat Holleran will be asked to make all the plays in the secondary tomorrow night. Swampscott, meanwhile, needs a stellar performance from its linebackers while trying to slow down Fenwick's record-setting running back, Bobby Tarr.