The 1982 Dom Savio High School football team celebrated its Division 4 Super Bowl championship season at a 40th anniversary luncheon Sunday at Anthony’s, Malden.
Led by co-coaches Bill Maradei and Reg Lanciani, the Spartans were undefeated and nearly unscored upon during the regular season, allowing only one touchdown versus St. Mary’s in an 18-6 victory. The Spartans also edged Don Bosco, 2-0, with a safety on the last play of the second game of that season at East Boston Stadium.
“Paul McGunigle sacked the Bosco quarterback for a safety and we won, 2-0, recalled Maradei, who was in his fourth season as coach.
The Spartans went on to defeat Rockland, 14-12, in the Super Bowl at Boston University’s Nickerson Field.
“Angelo Fantasia knocked down the two-point conversion,” said Maradei, who served as Savio football coach for 14 seasons, and went on to coach at Austin Prep, winning three Super Bowls there.
Savio finished one of the greatest seasons in state football history with an 11-0 record.
“It’s unbelievable to see all these guys,” said Maradei, who was also a science teacher at the school which closed in 1993. “All I know is that I was 29 years old when we won the Super Bowl, and I’m sitting here now and I’m 69 years old, so it’s just great to be here. It really is wonderful. Savio always was a special spirit in everything we did in all the sports and in the classroom as well.”
Said Reg Lanciani, “Bill Maradei is one of great guys and great high school football coaches of all time. It’s wonderful being back after 40 years. A lot of these guys were tremendous players and good students, and they’ve done well in life, and I’m happy to see them. There were a lot of good players and coaches on that 1982 team, and we have a lot of good memories.”
All-Scholastic defensive end Joe Gaff, who is the current Malden Catholic head coach and an Everett Police officer, said the defense was “incredible” throughout the season. “Just to give up six points in the regular season and 12 to a great Rockland team is pretty impressive. It was a great year. Our senior class was a very tight group, and we get together every five years. We knew this was our 40th anniversary, and we got a great response from everybody.”
The coaches and players thanked starting fullback Sean O’Toole, who was instrumental in organizing the 40th reunion luncheon.