Tomahawks, Cardinals face biggest test of the season

The football teams from Merrimack High School and Bishop Guertin have something in common.

Both teams rely on a bevy of players to share the offensive load. But how each one got there is a different story.

The Cardinals will be without standout running back Mike Kelly, who is out for the season, for the second week in a row. Kelly’s injury has led to a shift in personnel for Bishop Guertin, as a handful of players have had to step up.

In last week’s win over Spaulding, it was Zach Mailloux, who had three rushing touchdowns, and quarterback Bob Fahey, who passed for 185 yards in his first varsity start, who stepped up.

This week, Cardinals coach Tony Johnson expects Bishop Guertin (2-0 in Division II, 3-0 overall) to get quarterback Steve Cuipa back, but others will still have to step up.

“It is paramount that I have other players besides the quarterback provide production,” Johnson said. “(Cuipa) is fine, he was just banged up. We’re not taking any chances though.”

Merrimack (2-0, 3-0) knew going into the season that there wasn’t going to be any one player who would be called upon to put the team on his shoulders week after week.

The Tomahawks showed that in last week’s win over Alvirne, as Chris Smith, Brody Williams, Chase Distasio and Jackson King each ran for at least 63 yards and a touchdown.

“Offensively, our rushing attack continued to be really good,” Merrimack coach Joe Battista said. “Defensively, we’ve got to get off the field on third down. We’ve got to stop giving up big plays.”

Big plays are something that the Cardinals always seem to be capable of producing, and Battista wants to see his defense keep them off the field.

“We really focused on knowing the situation last week when practiced,” Battista said “It’s a combination of the down and distance and maybe we have a mental letup. Next thing you know, they’re picking up a first down when it’s third-and-7 or third-and-9. We should be getting off the field.”

Both sides are looking at the game as its biggest challenge of the season.

“It’s always a big game for Merrimack,” Battista said. “There’s a rivalry there and there are some Merrimack kids on that team who played youth ball with our players. Motivational part won’t be a factor. I don’t look at it as any different as any other year. It’s a rival game.”

Johnson is expecting a big crowd when Bishop Guertin heads to Merrimack Friday for a 7 p.m. kickoff.

“This is going to be a major test for us,” he said. “It’s going to be a great game. The town is going to be out and it’s going to be a great environment.”