A Perfect End to A Perfect Season

SPS varsity football team claims 2024 NEPSAC John Papas Bowl

BY KRISTIN DUISBERG

It was a clash of two powerhouse football programs, and St. Paul’s School came out on top.

On Saturday, Nov. 16, the Big Red of SPS took its perfect season to Boston College’s Alumni Stadium to face the likewise undefeated Knights of Buckingham Browne and Nichols (BB&N) in the 2024 NEPSAC John Papas Bowl. In a thrilling game that showcased the considerable talents of two championship teams — BB&N was named the 2024 Independent School League champion and SPS titleholder in the Evergreen League — the Big Red prevailed 23-20 in the final minute of play. The victory was the School’s second John Papas Bowl title in three years, having bested BB&N 30-20 at home in 2022.

The Big Red struck early with two Michael Seward ’25 touchdowns and a field goal to take a 16-7 advantage into halftime. The Knights responded in the fourth quarter with a pair of touchdowns to go ahead 16-20 with 4:44 left to play, but a disciplined SPS offense went back to work, and Seward again found the end zone as the clock reached 1:00. An interception on the Knights’ next possession and a big first-down play that allowed the Big Red to run the clock down sealed the win — to the delight of a roaring crowd of red-clad students, families, friends and alumni who had made the trip to Newton, Mass. for the game.

In a post-game interview with the Boston Globe, Seward said he knew his team had the determination and talent to take the win against a formidable BB&N squad. “I knew from the beginning of the year, our senior class was strong enough,” Seward told the Globe. “I knew we could get it done, and I felt like our offensive line was just more gritty. … I’ve never seen them get after it like they did today.”

Head Football Coach Craig Vandersea P’22, now in his 17th year coaching the Big Red, says the leadership demonstrated by the Sixth Form class had a tremendous impact on the team — and the season — as a whole. “This 2024 team is a bunch of fierce competitors who have an emotional bond with each other,” he says. “This bond with their teammates and coaches is remarkable.”

It was the fourth time in seven years that the Big Red has finished their season undefeated. In 2018, an 8-0 squad claimed the Ken Hollingsworth Bowl at home in a game against Pingree; in 2019, the team finished a 9-0 season with a Dave Coratti Bowl victory at Gilette Stadium over Dexter Southfield. Playing during a COVID-shortened season in 2020, the team finished with a record of 3-0.