ESPN

WEST ROXBURY, Mass. -- Following last week's season-opening loss to Milton Academy, St. Sebastian's knew one slipped through its fingers — due, in part, to some costly turnovers which led to their demise.

On Saturday, the Arrows saw things from a different perspective — bearing witness to advantages one can have when they are on the receiving end of turnovers. Roxbury Latin was the gracious gift giver, coughing up the ball on its first three possessions. That led to three touchdowns for the Arrows as they went on to roll, 37-7, in an ISL contest held at Schoolhouse Field.

Still stinging from Milton Academy defeat, St. Sebastian's, who finished 9-0 a year ago and took home the Arthur Valicenti Bowl trophy, set a precedent all week that its season begins now.

Such attitude appeared to work. The Arrows (1-1) proved highly-effective on both sides of the ball against the Foxes. They limited Roxbury Latin's offense to 153 yards, just 49 in the opening half. Offensively, they finished with 290 yards — much of that coming from its strong ground attack consisting of Connor Strachan, Blake Gallagher and Edosa Onaiwu.

"Last week, we made three big mistakes and it costs us," Arrows longtime coach Bob Souza said. "This time, Roxbury Latin made the mistakes. We did a lot of good things against Milton and our kids knew it. I told the kids this league is still up for grabs and we still have our destiny under our control. I think we'll be in the hunt for a title throughout the year."

After shutting out St. Paul's last week, the Foxes (1-1) were feeling good about their chances entering this one. But confidence suddenly turned to panic after a pair of miscues in the opening minutes gave the Arrows a short field to work with.

The first mistake came after punter John Baron couldn't handle the snap, losing control of the ball that was recovered by Miles Hunter, allowing St. Sebastian's to set up shop on the Roxbury Latin 20. Four plays later, Strachan (52 yards on 8 carries) scored from a yard out giving the Arrows a 7-0 lead. On the ensuing kickoff, Foxes returner Parker Kent failed to field the ball cleanly, allowing an alert John McNamara to pounce on it.

Standing the at the Foxes' 15-yard line, St. Sebastian's needed only one play to go up by two scores as Strachan busted through for the score with 4:11 still left in the initial quarter.

"We knew coming off our loss last week that we needed to be firing for this game," said Strachan, a Boston College commit. "We have a bunch of kids on this team playing both ways so we need to go heavy in the first half like we did today and set the pace for ourselves."

The two turnovers left Roxbury Latin deflated, as it could never get anything going thereafter. The Foxes’ run game was held in check throughout and quarterback Peter Cahill (8-of-16, 91 yards, 1 TD) was under constant pressure throughout by the Arrows' massive front line.

Things didn't get much better for Roxbury Latin to start the second quarter. Cahill was picked off by Strachan, which led to a 74-yard, 11-play drive culminated in Matt Daniel hauling in a 27-yard scoring pass from quarterback Geoff Wade and go up by 20.

"We told the kids all week leading up to this game that we needed to start fast," said Souza, who was inducted into the Massachusetts High School Coaches Hall of Fame in 2010. "We can't let up and not give Roxbury Latin any kind of an opportunity to gain momentum. Now we just need to build on this win and continue to get better."

With under two minutes remaining before the half, St. Sebastian's offense was back at it. Following a Foxes punt, the Arrows drove 65 yards behind Gallagher (9 carries, 86 yards) and Onaiwu (64 yards on 10 rushes) before Strachan was given the ball from the 1-yard line and dove across for his third touchdown to send St. Sebastian's into the break well in-command at 27-0.

"Anytime the defense can come out and do what they did and put the offense in good positions to score that's huge," said Wade. "We aren't looking to gain 500 yards a game, we just want to put the ball into the end zone."

With this contest in his control, Souza began substituting other players in. But the Arrows never lost a beat. Running back James Fiore scored on a 3-yard run to begin St. Sebastian's first drive of the second half, pushing the margin to 34 points.

The Arrows added three more early in the fourth on Kevin Ginns' 27 yard field goal.

Roxbury Latin avoided the shutout in the closing minutes as Cahill connected with receiver Sean Lowrie in the back corner of the end zone.

"That's a tough team to come back against," Foxes coach Pat Ross said. "I dreaded all week in hoping we wouldn't give up something quick to them but after our first one things began to snowball. But our guys never quit and fought the entire game. We know we aren't as big as St. Sebastian's and we knew we needed to play near-perfect football against them and unfortunately it didn't work out."

WEST ROXBURY, Mass. -- It is never an easy task to replace one of the most decorated signal callers in school history. Mackay Lowrie was named the Independent School League MVP, was a three-time First Team NEPSAC All-New England selection, NEPSAC Division C Player of the Year, a "Super 26" All-State team selection, a Massachusetts All-State selection, and the holder of the ISL record for most touchdowns in a season with 35.

Lowrie left big shoes to fill as the three-year starter and current Boston College Eagle graduated from Roxbury Latin with over 5,600 passing yards, 1,600 rushing yards, and 75 total touchdowns.

Next in line to take the reign at Roxbury Latin is 6-foot-2 junior Pete Cahill. A Dorchester native, Cahill won the job in camp after some fierce competition at the position.

“Our stability with Mackay Lowrie, over the last three years at the QB position, has moved on,” Ross said. “We had three guys battling for the job all camp and Pete (Cahill) earned the job.”

Cahill, who Ross describes as dual-threat quarterback who can get out on the edge and make plays, will have the luxury of some veteran returning offensive weapons, led by junior wide receiver Sean Lowrie.

Despite graduating leading receiver Sean Myers (Bentley), RL returns Lowrie’s younger brother Sean, who had a breakout season in 2012, featuring a monster 14 catch, 170-yard and four touchdown game in a 34-33 win over Thayer.

“Fortunately we are returning the entire offensive line as well as three-quarters of the receiving corps with a year of experience under their belts,” Ross said. “We may not be the biggest group up front but the boys have a great understanding of our offensive concepts and look forward to compete in every game.”

Boston College commit Kevin Cohee also returns at the tight end position and will be counted on to lead the defense once again this season. The 6-foot-3, 245-pound Cohee has developed over the course of his years at Roxbury Latin and is primed to make some big noise this season.

“We plan on moving him around more on defense this year as teams are going to want to run away from him,” Ross said of his starting linebacker. “Another thing about Kevin is the fact that he is such an easy going kid, He is two-year captain and he definitely leads by example. He is the first in weight room, he is always on field doing extra work before and after practice and his leadership skills have improved so much that people are now listening to him and taking him very serious. He has instilled a business-like atmosphere with the team.”

RL also returns hard-hitting playmaker Scott Frankenthaler. Frankenthaler, a Johns Hopkins lacrosse commit, should provide another veteran presence on a defense that Ross thinks could be a team strength this season.

“Defensively we will be fast and athletic. Our philosophy will be to create turnovers and hopefully be opportunistic so our offense can work with shorts fields.”

Special teams is also a weapon that cannot be forgotten as RL features one of the top kickers/punters in the area in senior John Baron. Baron adds a weapon that not many teams can boast.

“Johnny has a great leg and has been with us since a sophomore year,” Ross said. “He has not had a lot of chances as Mackay Lowrie would complete a lot of drives with touchdowns, but I see us giving him more opportunities this year. He has good leg, is strong from 40-yards in and he can nail the long one as well. He also has the ability to flip fields on us as he does a great job executing our directional kicking game.”

ROXBURY LATIN AT A GLANCE
2012: 6-2
Coach: Patrick Ross (5th season, 20-12)
Returning Starters: Kevin Cohee, Sr. TE/ OLB, 6-3, 245 lbs.; Mark Goldstein, Sr. T/ MLB, 6-0, 215 lbs.; Duncan Finigan, Sr. T/ DE, 6-1, 210 lbs.; Jimmy Joyce, Sr. G/NG, 5-10, 200 lbs.; Scott Frankenthaler, Sr. G/ DE, 6-0, 215 lbs.; John Thomsen, Jr. C/NG, 5-10 lbs,; Christian Hasiotis, Sr. RB/S, 5-10 175 lbs.; Tevin Barros, Sr. RB/S, 5-9, 160 lbs.; Sean Lowrie, Jr. WR/ CB, 6-3, 195 lbs.; Alex Abelite, Jr. FB/ ILB, 6-2 225 lbs.
Other Key Returnees: Steven Daley, Jr. WR/TE/ DE 6-3, 205,; Drew Dodakian, Sr. WR/CB, 5-10, 170 lbs.; Luke Roberts, Sr. WR/ CB, 6-0, 185 lbs.; Peter Cahill, Jr. QB, 6-2, 200 lbs.; Darrio Zarrabian , Jr. WR/ S, 5-11, 165 lbs.; Nate Downes, Jr. 5-11, G/NG, 215 lbs.; G/ NG, Sean Rose, Jr. T, 6-2, 210 lbs.; John Driscoll, Sr. FB/LB, 5-11, 200 lbs.; Devin Rosen, Jr. OLB, 6-0, 195 lbs.; Jonah Deykin, Jr. G/T, 5-10, 175 lbs.; Anthony Giordano, Jr. G/NG, 5-10, 190 lbs.; Alan Balson Jr. T/OLB, 5-10,; Ronan O’Toole, Jr. QB/ S, 5-8, 150 lbs.; Martin Buckley, Jr. WR/S, 5-10, 155 lbs.
Strengths: Offensive Line, WRs, Team Speed on Defense.
Weaknesses: Quarterback experience.
Outlook: Cohee anchors a defense that returns featured veterans Frankenthaler, Lowrie, and Goldtein. Lowrie and Cohee will provide Cahill with two veteran options in the RL offensive attack. Three players to keep an eye out for this year, according to Ross, are seniors Drew Dodakian, Luke Roberts and junior Steven Daley. Daley possesses great hands according to Ross, and will be counted on to step in and produce right away. “I believe that the top dogs of the ISL will be strong as always, St Seb’s, Gov’s, BB&N, Milton & Belmont Hill with Lawrence Academy being a team to watch out for,” Ross said. “I also think that there are several well coached, hungry teams that are looking to upset the status quo and compete for the title.” With the balance of the ISL Ross also mentioned that, “I see the schedule filled with exciting, hard fought, close games that will be settled in the final minutes from one week to the next. Every game in the ISL is a battle between competitive teams, who all respect each other in between the lines.”

Roxbury Latin tight end/defensive end Kevin Cohee has given a verbal commitment to Boston College, he tells ESPN Boston.

The 6-foot-3, 240-pounder is a resident of Chestnut Hill and becomes the third in-state recruit to join Steve Addazio’s 2014 recruiting class.

“Once they gave me the offer, I was learning toward to committing,” Cohee said in an interview Sunday night. “I didn’t want to commit right away, and I wanted to be sure about it, but it’s been a dream of mine. I grew up going to football games [at BC] and it’s been like a second home to me.”

Cohee is the second Foxes player to give his commitment to BC in as many years, joining signee quarterback Mackay Lowrie.

At the time of his commitment, Cohee also held offers from UMass and UConn.

“They were after Kevin after they saw his game tape, and they pursued him with heartfelt purpose,” Roxbury Latin head coach Pat Ross said. “Coach [Addazio] really wants to build from the inside out, and to build a program that attracts the top Massachusetts kids, and make sure they are here to stay.”

Aside from the chance to play within earshot of his home, Cohee cited BC’s business curriculum and the Eagles’ intent to play within a spread offense as influencing factors.

Though Cohee said he was open to playing on either side of the ball and could be used in multiple roles by the Eagles’ coaching staff.

“[BC] was mostly recruiting from outside states, like New Jersey and Pennsylvania,” Cohee said. “But we’re starting to lay the foundation with the players we have coming in from in-state. I wanted to be a part of that.”

WEST ROXBURY, Mass. -– The much-anticipated offensive battle between Roxbury Latin and Thayer exceeded all expectations as Roxbury Latin scored the final touchdown to defeat Thayer 34-33 on Saturday afternoon.

In a see-saw game that saw six ties or lead changes, it was Roxbury Latin (2-0) that made the key plays at the end of the game to earn their second win of the season.

Latin senior quarterback Mackay Lowrie completed 24-of-37 passes for 291 yards and five touchdowns to lead the Latin attack. The dual-threat quarterback with the big arm also picked his spots on the ground, as he picked up numerous first downs to keep the chains moving all afternoon.

Trailing 33-28, the Boston College-bound Lowrie led Latin down the field and concluded the come-from-behind drive by tossing his fifth touchdown pass of the day to his sophomore wide receiver brother, Sean.

“It is symbolic of our team,” Mackay Lowrie said regarding the final drive. “We are coming back and we are tough, all 45 guys. Everyone stepped up and everyone made a play. All eleven guys.”

The final 11-yard scoring strike was the Lowrie brother’s fourth touchdown connection of the day.

“This year he is stepping up big,” Mackay Lowrie said of his brother Sean. “He had about 180 (yards) last week and obviously he had a huge game this week.”

Trailing 34-33 with 3:52 remaining, Thayer junior quarterback Jack Becker led the Tigers down the field into Roxbury Latin territory.

Roxbury Latin defensive end Guy Green would then come up with the play of the game as the junior broke in from his left end position and sacked Becker. The sack also forced a fumble that defensive back Sean Frankenthaler would recover with 43 seconds remaining to seal the win.

Roxbury Latin head coach Pat Ross lauded Green after the game in the postgame huddle and presented him with the game ball for his efforts. Ross also stressed the importance of his team’s successful offensive rhythm throughout the day.

“We do everything out of the no-huddle and with the wrist bands so tempo is very important for us,” Ross said after the game.

It was another impressive offensive display by both teams on Saturday as Becker tossed two touchdowns for Thayer in defeat. He competed one to tight end Conor O’Brien in the first half on a beautiful 40-yard strike and another to star wide receiver Bryan Vieira in the second half for 12 yards. Vieira would also come up with a huge game-changing interception return for a touchdown in the final quarter, resulting in one of the six lead changes.

“We knew we were gong to have to score a lot of points,” Mackay Lowrie said. “We heard all week about their offense but we knew if we kept them contained and kept Bryan Vieira, who is a heck of a player, in check, we could do some things.”

Roxbury Latin got strong second half defensive efforts from defensive lineman Valentine Iwejuo and Mark Goldstein. Thayer received strong efforts from running back Mitchell Welsh (1 touchdown) and athlete Archi Jerome, who served at wideout, defensive back and kick returner.

Momentum Changer: Trailing 21-7 with 1:48 remaining in the first half Lowrie found his brother Sean for a 10-yard touchdown pass to cut the lead to 21-14.

On the following Thayer drive Roxbury Latin defensive back Sean Frankenthaler made an athletic interception on the sideline to set up another Lowrie to Lowrie touchdown connection. The touchdown tied the score at 21-21 at the half and gave Roxbury Latin the important momentum shift heading to the break.

Key injuries: Both teams lost key players during the game as Thayer senior running back Aaron Gilmer left in the second half with an injury after running for 85 yards and one touchdown in the first half.

Roxbury Latin also lost senior receiver Sean Myers with a leg injury after Myers started off the game strong with the opening touchdown reception.

ROXBURY LATIN 34, THAYER 33
RL (2-0) 7 – 14 – 7 -6 – 34
TA (0-2) 7 – 14 –6– 6 – 33

First Quarter
R – Sean Myers 8 pass from Mackay Lowrie (John Barron kick)
T – Conor O’Brien 40 pass from Jack Becker (Bryan Vieira kick)

Second Quarter
T – Aaron Gilmer 20 run (Vieira kick) T– Mitch Welsh 2 run (Harrison Balder kick)
R– Sean Lowrie 10 pass from Mackay Lowrie (Barron kick)
R– Sean Lowrie 34 pass from Mackay Lowrie (Barron kick)

Third Quarter
R– Sean Lowrie 8 pass from Mackay Lowrie (Barron kick)
T – Vieira 12 pass from Becker (kick failed)

Fourth Quarter
T – Viera 22 interception (pass failed)
R – Sean Lowrie 11 pass from Mackay Lowrie (rush failed)