Chaves Scores Two Touchdowns as Vikings Hold off Austin Prep, 23-21

Senior captain Mikey Chaves had the second Pick-6 of his excellent career and a touchdown reception as the Winthrop High football team hung on to defeat Austin Prep, 23-21, on the Cougars’ home field in Reading.

The Vikings built a 23-0 lead after quarterback Robert Noonan connected on a 5-yard TD pass to Chaves on the last play in the first half.

 But the hosts from the Catholic Central League stormed back in the second half to within two points with 1:46 left in the game, before Ian Harris tackled the quarterback on what would have been the game-tying conversion.

Harris earned the Black Shirt “defensive player of the game” award and made the defensive play of the game with his key stop (“An unbelievable tackle,” said Cadigan) in the backfield on Austin Prep’s two-point attempt.

Chaves’s first Pick-6 of his career came in a huge 22-6 win over Division 1 Framingham in the 2020 (spring) season. He also had a touchdown pass in that game. This time he added an onside kick recovery to his twin-TD effort.

The versatile senior is off to a noteworthy start to the 2021 season.

“Mikey made a couple of nice plays with his Pick 6 and his touchdown catch right before the half,”  said Coach Jon Cadigan. “He also had a pretty big run that was called back, unfortunately.”

Sophomore Evan Rockefeller scored the first touchdown (a 5-yard run) of his varsity career on the opening drive. He also had a two-point conversion.

Cam Martin was the Vikings’ leading rusher with 13 carries for 69 yards. Welvis Acosta had three carries for 34 yards. Noonan completed three passes in five attempts and had a two-point conversion for the 22nd and 23rd points that proved to be the game-winning points.

Joe Hayes, son of Super Bowl-winning quarterback John Hayes, was very active on defense, said Cadigan.

Winthrop had to make some adjustments

When defensive/offensive tackle and placekicker Juan Sanchez hurt his knee in the second quarter, Coach Cadigan had to make changes in the lineup.

The Vikings struggled a bit in the second half, but Ian Harris (tackle) and Welvis Acosta (game-clinching run for a first down) made it a triumphant bus ride back to Winthrop.

On the road again

The Vikings travel to Medway for a non-league game Friday at 6 p.m.

“We’re leaving early,” said Coach Cadigan, noting the potential rush-hour traffic.

The Vikings will follow with an interesting test against Danvers, who carried the Northeastern Conference banner well with a 35-14 win over Tewksbury in the opener.

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