LYNN – Even when it feels like things just aren’t going one’s way, one should never give up on the task at hand.
The life lesson has been a staple for Shawsheen Tech’s football team in tough games before, and the Rams never faltered Friday night.
Senior quarterback Adam Caruso connected with sophomore Nathan Smith for a game-clinching 44-yard touchdown pass in the waning moments, as the Rams (5-0) continued their historic winning streak (19 in a row) with a stunning 14-7 victory over St. Mary’s at Manning Field.
“Our kids just fought the whole game,” said Shawsheen coach Al Costabile. “Time and time again, we were frustrated. It was a frustrating, rock-fight of a game. Our defense, time and time came up in the red zone. The offense found a way to make a big play. This is something that can really catapult us for the remainder of the season and into our league schedule.”
St. Mary’s (2-3) was attempting to regain momentum after dealing with injuries early on in the season. Meanwhile, Shawsheen was riding in hot, averaging nearly 31 points per game with two consecutive shutout victories.
Playing on their home turf, the Spartans threw the game’s first punch. With his team running on seven of its first eight plays, senior quarterback Yaniel Belliard slipped loose off of a keeper, taking off for a 32-yard touchdown rush to provide St. Mary’s a 7-0 lead 5:34 into play.
The score would hold until early in the second quarter, when Shawsheen responded with a long drive. Sophomore Cameron Banda shed a tackle, then jogged three yards into the end zone for a score. The ensuing extra point attempt was blocked, however, and the Rams were still trailing 7-6 with 8:38 remaining in the half.
Every single time it felt like the Rams had something going offensively in the second half, they were soon stymied by the Spartans’ defense. The trend carried on into the final frame, with St. Mary’s still clinging to a one-point edge. At that point, it appeared Shawsheen’s reign of success might be in jeopardy.
With 4:40 to play, the Rams were given one final gasp, as they set up at their own 33-yard line, needing a miraculous drive to keep hopes alive. Thanks to some untimely penalties, they were pushed back multiple times.
With just under two minutes remaining, Caruso hit Smith for a 15-yard gain, which was ruled a first down after further discussion from the referees.
Costabile called a timeout, looking to gather his troops with 1:42 left on the clock, his team at the St. Mary’s 44.
On the next sequence, Caruso scrambled to his right, looking to make a play. Then, he spotted Smith again, sprinting down the sideline. The senior fired up a prayer.
“I felt pressure on my left side, so I had to roll out to the right,” Caruso said. “Smitty was on an audible because they were pressed up on him. So he ran a streak down the field. I saw him break off the defender, and I just threw it up.”
Smith proceeded to haul in the pass inside the red zone, then spun away from two would-be tacklers before sprinting home for the go-ahead score, stunning the crowd. Jake Banda added a two-point conversion rush, and the Rams were up 14-7 with 1:31 to go.
“I beat the defender, caught the ball,” said Smith. “Saw another kid coming. I knew I had to fight for that extra yardage, and get into that end zone.
The game wasn’t over just yet, but the Rams finished the job. On the ensuing kickoff, they forced a fumble, and recovered to seal the deal.
Caruso finished 6-for-10 passing with 128 yards to go with his game-winning touchdown toss to Smith. J. Banda added 169 yards rushing on 23 carries.
Since the end of 2023, Shawsheen has not lost a game.
“It feels great,” Costabile said. “I’m so proud of these guys. I’m so proud of the way they fought. St. Mary’s gave us all we could handle, and we were up for the challenge. I couldn’t be more proud of a group of guys.”
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