For the fourth straight year, Boston College High School won the Massachusetts Division 1 Boys title. This time, BC High faced an undefeated Belmont High School that soundly defeated the Eagles in April.

The match began with both teams playing the territory game and attacking physically at the line of defense. Much of the first 15 minutes was spent in the middle of the field, but after a few minutes of sustained attack BC High earned a penalty at Belmont’s 22. The ensuing catch and maul drove the ball deep into Belmont territory, and the backs moved the ball wide to wing Michael Bennett who touched down in the corner. Rob Lester converted the try.

Six minutes later BC High had Belmont under pressure again. This time BC High won a scrum against the head deep Belmont territory and 8 man Cooper Roberts carried the ball strong to Belmont’s 5 meter line. Scrum half George Haikal quickly picked the ball from the tackle and dove over, scoring in front of the posts for Lester to convert.

“Set pieces were a critical part of our effort today,” said BC High coach Paul Carty. “Belmont are capable of striking so quickly that we knew we’d have to at least disrupt their set piece so we could slow them down. The ability to convert those moments into points proved to be enormous for us today.”

But Belmont would reply quickly, putting the ensuing restart deep in BC High territory. The Eagles failed to clear, and Fullback Ross Taylor scooped up a misplayed ball and raced for the line. The conversion was good, and the half ended moments later 14-7.

That would be it for scoring, but the second half was not without its drama. With 12 minutes remaining, Rob Lester was sent off with a red card for a no-wrap tackle on Ross Taylor. The hit would unfortunately end Taylor’s day with an injury, and leave BC High with 14 players for the final 12 minutes. Again both teams traded punches – Belmont attacking furiously and BC High doing what it could to put the ball in Belmont territory.

After a series of penalties, another BC High player was sent off with a yellow card for repeated fouls, leaving 13 to defend. And defend they did, as fresh subs brought line speed and pressure to Belmont’s attack, refusing to let the Marauders break the line. The final whistle sounded after a Belmont knock on and ended the game: BC High 14 – Belmont 7.

“What an incredibly tense game,” said Carty. “The defensive effort from our boys was the difference today, and their ferocity in line speed paid off. Credit to Belmont, they had a great season and are a class program from top to bottom.”