BOCA RATON – Statistics tell a good part of the story, but not all of it for Francesco Fabiani.
In last week’s trip to the Muck in Belle Glade, the Boca Raton Christian junior quarterback had a big challenge to face head-on. The situation at hand was finding a way to have an impactful performance against Glades Day.
The rising star came through when it mattered the most, as he led the Blazers to a 28-19 road win over the Gators on Friday, Oct. 9. It was the first time his team had beaten their vaunted opponent in school history.
Fabiani (5-foot-10, 180 lbs.) had 235 passing yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. While it was an up-and-down stat line on paper, his mere presence transcending everything else in this one.
The Blazers quarterback threw both of his touchdown passes to senior wide receiver Malik Jean Louis, who had a breakout performance of his own with seven catches for 157 yards and the two touchdown catches from Fabiani.
The first score of the Boca Raton Christian-Glades Day game was in the second quarter, when Fabiani found Jean Louis on a hitch pass from their own 35-yard line. From there, the senior wideout took it 65 yards to the end zone for a 7-0 lead.
And just when Glades Day was fighting its way back in the game, the Fabiani-Jean Louis connection came on strong again. This time, it was a 40-yard fade route that resulted in a touchdown early in the third quarter for a 21-13 lead.
Both of Fabiani’s interceptions came in the second half, giving Glades Day a chance to pull off a comeback win of its own. But Fabiani’s defense made sure it would not happen, as evidenced by two scores on that side of the ball.
Jean Louis spoke on Fabiani’s performance.
“He had a great game,” Jean Louis said. “Even though he threw a couple of picks, he made great reads. He got me and our other receiver the ball. He gave us the opportunity to make plays and get the win.”
Boca Raton Christian head coach Clay Shiver chimed in.
“He really played an outstanding game,” Shiver said of Fabiani. “Other than the pick-six, he made great read after great read to make the difference. He managed the offense very well at the end. He’s becoming an outstanding quarterback.”
Shiver will be looking for Fabiani to do great things tonight (Oct. 16; 7 p.m.) at Avant Garde Academy (0-0). According to this week’s Joe Pinkos game picks, Boca Raton Christian (2-2; No. 5-ranked private school team in Palm Beach County) is favored to win this road game in Hollywood by 28 points.
Shiver spoke on this game and the other that follow afterwards.
“We just want to win out,” Shiver said. “We have had some tough games in the beginning of our schedule. The guys have responded incredibly. We’re excited about hopefully winning the rest of our games this season.”
PHOTO CREDITS: Dana Fox
