By the time Phil Boncore walked through the handshake line and emerged from Winthrop’s post-game huddle, the senior captain already had a football in his hands.
We’re not sure if it was the same exact football that he had blocked and then recovered for a touchdown (and a 15-0 second-quarter lead) on the way to the Vikings’ convincing 29-8 victory over Northeast Regional, but it sure made for a great photo opportunity.
Boncore’s punt block and recovery in the end zone was the special team’s play of the night, and it was one for the record books.
“I remember Nick Farmer did it in the 2004 season, when he basically took the football off the punter’s foot,” said coach Jon Cadigan, calling on his historical knowledge. “That’s 20 years ago. You don’t see it that often, but it was a great effort play. We do practice it, and you’re happy when things you practice come to life on game day.”
Cadigan said Boncore was one of four rushers on the play. “Phily was the extra rusher, and he just squeezed through the A-gap, got in untouched, and the ball bounced around [with Matt Noonan close by], and then Phily got on top of it.”
Boncore, who is playing his fourth varsity season for the Vikings and tenth [hockey and baseball] overall in the athletic program, registered the first touchdown of his career.
“Now, Phil’s always talking about, ‘Well, every time I touch the ball it’s a touchdown’ – so now he’s wants to play right end and all that stuff,” related Cadigan. “It’s just a great play.”
Boncore said it was the first punt-block of his career. “I did block a field goal [a consequential moment in the Vikings’ 20-19 victory] last year against Salem at home,” he recalled. “We prepared very well as a team and knew what we wanted to do as a team. I went through the A-gap and the ball hit me in the chest.”
Boncore, who is the quarterback of the defensive unit, also made his mark on defense, recording seven tackles to earn the Vikings’ Black Shirt defensive player of the game award.
“We were locked in,” said Boncore. “We knew what plays they were running, from what formations they were in. We prepared very well for them. Our coaching staff did a great job.”
Northeast head football coach Donny Heres said of the game and Boncore’s big play, “Winthrop is a town team with a lot of tradition. The kids grow up here. They want to be good and represent their town. Winthrop is always well-prepared to play. I have nothing but respect for the Winthrop program. I coached at Revere, and I played here. That [blocked punt] play was a key play for Winthrop. Winthrop made the plays, and we didn’t.”
The versatile Phil Boncore would certainly like to be in another home playoff game this season. His last two appearances were long road trips. Last fall, the Vikings traveled to faraway Fairhaven in Round 1, a tough draw before a capacity home crowd. As a first-liner on the Vikings’ hockey team, Boncore and his Winthrop mates lost a 2-1 heartbreaker in a shootout versus Bourne on Cape Cod.
More virtuoso performances from Phil Boncore like last Friday’s, and the Vikings should be able to reward their large following with a magical night at Miller in November.