Seniors help bring respect to improved Chargers

Senior Day not only was a time to say good-bye, but also thank you for the St. Joseph football team Saturday.

Nine seniors helped the Chargers (2-7) snap their 45-game losing streak with season-opening wins over Ridgewood (5-4) and Argo (4-5) and be more competitive in the rugged East Suburban Catholic Conference despite having as many as eight players going both ways.

St. Joseph ended its season with a 39-12 loss to St. Viator in Westchester.

"I thanked the seniors. For those nine seniors to stick it out for four years, I can't say enough about them," St. Joseph coach Mark Zavagnin said. "They were the reason why we were able to see some success this year -- their commitment in the off-season and leadership. Wherever St. Joe's goes from here can be attributed to them."

St. Joseph finished 0-7 in the ESCC but gave good games to Marian Catholic (20-12 loss) and Notre Dame (7-0 loss) and stayed with St. Patrick and Carmel in the first half. Zavagnin received lots of compliments from his fellow ESCC coaches at Sunday's all-conference meeting.

"That was the ultimate sign of respect," Zavagnin said. "I don't think anybody thought we'd be in as many games as we were. But we still have a ways to go. I think everybody has a taste of what it feels like to win, but more importantly how hard you have to work to keep getting over the hump."

The Chargers couldn't overcome three interceptions and two fumbles against St. Viator, with three of the turnovers converted into touchdowns.

St. Viator led 18-0 at halftime after a 10-yard touchdown run, a 26-yard TD pass after St. Joseph fumbled a kickoff and second-quarter field goal. St. Viator also had a 30-yard TD pass after an interception and returned another interception for a TD in the second half.

Marcus Watson returned a St. Viator fumble 22 yards for a TD in the third quarter and quarterback Cameron Meredith (12 for 26, 200 yards) hit Ryan Cole (4 catches, 92 yards) with a 13-yard TD pass in the fourth quarter for St. Joseph. Senior Ron Moore had four catches for 61 yards, while senior Tim Kelly rushed for 30 yards on 16 carries.