St. Sebastian’s off to good start in 34-12 win over Governor’s Academy

NEEDHAM — A year after having nothing but bitter ends at home, St. Sebastian’s enjoyed the sweet taste of victory to begin the 2022 season.

Sophomore quarterback Ty Ciongoli threw for 351 yards and four touchdowns while the St. Sebastian’s defensive line came through with five sacks as the Arrows opened the 2022 season with a 34-12 win over Governor’s Academy on a perfect fall afternoon.

St. Sebastian’s went winless on its home turf just a year ago. Those painful losses included a six-point setback at the hands of Governor’s.

“It stung a lot a year ago,” two-way standout lineman Ryan Donovan said. “This is our home field and we want to have good moments here. We remembered every team celebrating at our place and how it felt, and we used that in practice and today to push us over the top.”

It was a banner day for Ciongoli who threw TDs to four different receivers. Two of his four scoring passes happened on either third or fourth and long. The first one of the day on 4th and 14 went to Ace Ciongoli for an 18-yard score and an early 7-0 lead.

“Ty picked up the offense right away and he has been working really hard,” St. Sebastian’s coach Dan Burke said. “He played with poise. He made some big plays when the pocket collapsed. I am very proud of him — playing much better than you’d expect for a sophomore first-year starter.”

After the Arrows struck first, Governor’s responded as a 25-yard reception by Holden Symonds set up a Matthew Shaw three-yard touchdown to pull the visitors within 7-6. From that point forward, however, it was all Arrows. On their next series Ciongoli connected with Jack Boyle for a 66-yard catch and run to give the hosts a 14-6 advantage at the break.

The second half belonged to the St. Sebastian’s defense as its front proved suffocating. In all the Arrows had four sacks in the second half, three tackles for loss, and two picks.

“The defensive line had a great preseason,” Burke said. “They have the mentality that they’re going to the quarterback consistently. We were able to wear them down a bit and get to their quarterback late.”

Ciongoli ensured the Arrows extended the lead, connecting with Zion Simmons for 20 yards to set up a Justin Bourque 14-yard touchdown run. After a Governor’s punt pinned the Arrows deep in their own territory, Ciongoli tossed a screen pass to Kaelan Chudzinski, who shed three tacklers and run the distance for an 85-yard score that gave the Arrows an insurmountable 28-6 advantage late in the third.

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/dT09pvH