Dartmouth’s Sean Sylvia, Offensive Player of the Game for the South, along with several other teammates, came up with the biggest plays in a 27-6 victory over the North in the 31st annual Shriners Football Classic featuring seniors from eastern Massachusetts held at Bentley University in Waltham.
It was the fifth straight win by the South in the Shriners Classic, which began in 1979 and has featured the exploits of 35 players who went on to star beyond college, including Doug Flutie.
The South took control in the first quarter when fleet Dorchester running back De’Jon Berment capped a 60-yard drive with a 16-yard inside burst.
Melikke Van Allstyne (Salem/Bridgton Academy), North Offensive Player of the Game, then exploded through the line for a 45-yard touchdown romp to tie the score at 6-6 in the second quarter.
Thereafter, the game belonged to the South.
In the second quarter, South QB Danny Guadagnoli, found Dartmouth wide receiver Justin Mello (University of New Hampshire) who latched onto a high throw in the middle and cut back to the left, completing a 49-yard pass play and score. Mello ended up with three catches for 71 yards.
The defense was buoyed by Zach Triner of Marshfield, the South's Defensive Player of the Game. Triner, recruited to play lacrosse for Sacred Heart, was named as a defensive MVP for the South. The 6-foot-2, 230-pound lineman was constantly on the chase, often located in the backfield.of the North.
Sylvia, a left-handed signalcaller, scurried around to the left before connecting with Brian Desmond of Norton on a 4-yard pass for a 20-6 lead at intermission.
Connor Henry (Coyle-Cassidy/Air Force Academy) also starred in the contest. The quarterback and all-around standout for the Warriors boomed a few punts for 44 and 48 yards, kicked a ball through the end zone for a touchback and also added a nifty 34-yard punt to temporarily hem the North in at the five on another punt.
Setting up the game’s final score was a 50-yard connection by two future Bentley players. Sean Cross (Duxbury) hooked up with Bill Kiley of Boston College High and cut back twice to get to the two-yard line.
Sylvia, the Indians’ signal caller who will be attending Cheshire Academy, was then called in again. This time he linked up with 6-5 tight end Nick Jablonski (Apponequet) for the game’s last score.
Also recognized as North defensive MVP was Rob Ruggiero, a 6-1, 215-pound linebacker from Acton-Boxborough.
“The whole experience was awesome,” said Ruggiero, who said he will be attending Springfield College. “It wasn’t just about the game but also developing friendships.”
“I loved it. I loved that this was my last football game,” Triner said. “It took a few days to get back into football when we started practice after lacrosse but after that I was fine.”
The ninth annual Shrine Chowder Bowl Classic for graduating seniors from western and central Massachusetts will be held at Springfield College on Friday, June 26, beginning at 7 p.m.
