Mikey Chaves has ‘A Game to Remember’

You wonder if junior Mikey Chaves considered in the pre-game preparations that he was going to do something that few Winthrop Vikings had ever done before in the game against Framingham.

I mean, did Jason Griffin or Vikings’ defensive coordinator James Fucillo ever return an interception for a touchdown and throw a touchdown pass in the same game? Okay, James did tie his brother Anthony’s single-season touchdown passing record and did have a Malcolm Butler-type moment in the state semifinals on the way to an undefeated Super Bowl championship.

 Mikey Chaves’ touchdown pass to Bryan Conceicao (off a lateral from quarterback Duke Doherty) and his interception return for a touchdown (known as a Pick-6)  were something very special in the Vikings’ 22-6 victory over Framingham.

Chaves was the recipient of the Vikings’ defensive player of the game award.

Interestingly, the Vikings had worked in practice on a “challenge drill” where a defensive back or linebacker defends man-to-man against a receiver.

“Mikey Chaves was just outstanding during that drill,” recalled Cadigan. “He wouldn’t let anyone catch the ball. He’s very confident in what he does. He’s a very competitive kid and I think you saw it on that Pick-6 play.”

Chris Ferrara had a game-sealing interception while Ryan Hovermale competed the defensive backfield’s trifecta with an interception of tipped pass.

“I was very happy with how our defensive backs played,” said Cadigan.

The trick play caught Framingham by surprise and Chaves delivered a strike to Conceicao for the touchdown.

“That was a great play call on the double-pass,” credited Cadigan. “It’s a great job by our offensive coordinator of just setting things up from the week before. You give a team something on film like the bubble screen (Chaves caught a touchdown pass versus Salem one game earlier) and then we throw the double-pass. It was a great call and obviously great execution by our guys.”

Bobby Hubert named Herald Star of the week

Bobby Hubert was named a Boston Herald “Star of the Week” for his electrifying performance against Framingham.

Hubert will gladly share the award with his offensive line, notably center and three-year starter Nick Shea, right guard and captain Stevie Perullo, right tackle Michael Carter, left guard and three-year starter Matt Hurley, and left tackle Pete Jurovich.

Tight ends Cam Conway, the NEC basketball All-Star, and Ian Harris, also deserve plaudits as honorary members of the Big Five up front.

 Conway nearly had a touchdown reception on a well-designed play in the red zone, but it just missed connection. Cam is the son of former Savio basketball great Sean Conway, who played in a triple-overtime state tournament game at the old Boston Garden.

The Vikings break through

The Winthrop High football team was ranked No. 19 in the Boston Globe this week. Winthrop has yet to enter Danny V’s Sweet 16, but a win over a very good 3-1 Gloucester team (Friday at Newell Stadium) could vault the Vikings into the Herald poll.

The game against Gloucester will decide the Northeastern Conference South Division championship so there is a banner at stake for the Vikings.

A good point

Play-by-play announcer Anthony Fucillo, teamed with Alex Smith in the booth, made a good point on this week’s broadcast. Fucillo wondered why football referees -when there are non-nullifying penalties against both teams, for example, a 15-yard penalty and a 10-yard penalty – don’t just subtract the difference and walk off 5 yards, instead of walking off the 15 yards and then immediately walking 10 yards in the other direction?