St. Mary’s head coach Sean Driscoll candidly told reporters after last Friday’s game that he didn’t think victory was a likelihood when his team was trailing by 14 points late in the third quarter.
But freshman Maxwell Parent led the way back with two touchdowns and the game-winning extra point, and the Spartans delivered a thrilling 15-14 victory over the Winthrop Vikings at Manning Field.
And with that stirring comeback, Sean Driscoll, the former Winthrop head coach, had his 100th career victory. Sean’s son, Dylan Driscoll, the former Winthrop star quarterback and assistant athletic director at St. Mary’s, and Chris Beranger, the former Winthrop and UNH football star, are assistant coaches on the Spartans’ staff.
Driscoll was asked to assess the significance of Win No. 100.
“This is right up there with our Super Bowl victory, because obviously the circumstances of having a young team and playing a very good team [Winthrop] and seeing how our kids were resilient and had every excuse in the book to just cash it in during the fourth quarter and give up – but they came back and fought hard and it’s a good sign for the future,” said Driscoll.
Driscoll said one of the key plays in the game was Tyler Guy’s tackle on Nick Cappuccio at the 1-yard line after catching a pass from Matt Noonan.
“We know Nick’s skill and talent, and obviously on their big plays, they’ll look for their big-play guy,” said Driscoll. “So, I think it was a matter of Tyler’s speed to the football and recognizing what was going on, and being able to make that play. It was a huge difference in the game.”
Winthrop coach Jon Cadigan congratulated his former Viking coaching colleague on the 100th victory milestone.
“I wish it didn’t happen against me,” jested Cadigan initially. “No, I’m very happy for Sean. Coach [Tony] Fucillo gave me my first job coaching, and then Sean gave me a promotion when I was a very young coach and I don’t know necessarily if I were ready for it, but he believed in me. I’m happy for his success at St. Mary’s. There’s no one who works harder at it than Sean. He deserves this milestone. I do hope we see St. Mary’s down the road [in the MIAA playoffs].”
Winthrop captain Robert Rich made a nice gesture when he approached Sean Driscoll and congratulated Driscoll as he was being interviewed by reporters after the game.
“Robert works on my [Winthrop Parks and Recreation] staff in the summer – he’s a good kid and we like him a lot, and I know the family pretty well,” said Driscoll. “Robert is a very good, hard-nosed football player and he probably doesn’t get the credit he deserves.”
But come next summer, Driscoll has the bragging rights – although the two teams could meet again this season.