Local News

Xaverian grad Phelan running a new route at Brown, as a receiver

By Jason Mastrodonato

August 26, 2012

5 minutes to read

Walpole’s Alex Phelan switches to wide receiver

Everyone seems to remember Doug Flutie
hurling the 48-yard touchdown pass as time expired in Boston College’s improbable 47-45 win over Miami on Nov. 23, 1984. But how many remember that Gerard Phelan
was on the other side of that Hail Mary?

Phelan’s son, Alex
, took the Flutie route.

He piled up multiple honors as a signal caller at Xaverian Brothers in Westwood, capped by a perfect season his senior year in 2009, a Super Bowl trophy, and Globe Athlete of the Year honors.

Phelan moved on to Brown, where he spent his freshman year taking snaps for the JV squad. But at the end of last season, coach Phil Estes
called the Walpole resident into his office and told him the team could really benefit with another wide receiver, and Phelan’s 6-foot-1, athletic frame should allow for a smooth transition.

Phelan could have taken it hard. His heart had been behind the line of scrimmage.

Xaverian coach Charlie Stevenson
called him an ultimate leader that everyone rallied around. After pondering the decision for a while, making sure it was something he was willing to commit to and wouldn’t regret, Phelan told Estes he’d do it.

“In our house, being a wide receiver isn’t such a bad thing,’’ said Gerard Phelan, who entered preseason camp at Boston College in 1981 as a running back before making the conversion two weeks later. “You can accomplish some great things at wide receiver.’’

The elder Phelan is excited that his son his making the transition. But it’s hard to understand how it all happened, considering Alex was one of the best quarterbacks in the state in 2009. His dad talks about the reputation that Massachusetts quarterbacks have against those from other areas of the country:

“My own experience tells me Doug Flutie [Natick High] was the last scholarship at BC, and he went there and won a Heisman on a platform that was very difficult to do so. Matt Hasselbeck [Xaverian] was also successful. Then Matt Ryan came from Pennsylvania. But there were seven other Matt Ryans that came through that program that didn’t make it.

“When you do the numbers, you can argue Massachusetts quarterbacks are just as good, but there’s some validity that college coaches around the country just don’t come into Mass. that often because they stop at Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Ohio, and get enough talent in those areas.’’

Estes said the positional move was to present Phelan with the best chance to get on the field and make an impact. And having someone who can throw the ball exceptionally well presents opportunities for trick plays or a Wildcat formation.

“I think it’s a better fit for him at this level,’’ said Estes, who will welcome his players back to campus on Wednesday for preseason camp. The Bears kick off the season Sept. 15 at Holy Cross.

“Deep down, though, to be honest with you, if he had his way, he wants to play quarterback. That’s where his heart is. But he’s accepted his role.

“It’s not that he can’t play quarterback in the future. We can always move him back there. But now, to get him on the field, it was a good way to take advantage of his speed.’’

Phelan said his dad has been giving him tips on the position, but he has a good idea of his own what it’s like to be in the receiver’s head. He understands the routes, and particularly the timing when it comes to getting open as the quarterback finishes his three- or five-step drop. And with his athletic ability — which Estes said has improved 10-fold from a year ago — there’s a chance Brown could see Phelan catching passes at some point this year.

It would be easy to assume the transition, flushing away a childhood dream, has been hardest mentally. But Phelan, who still wears No. 5, argues he’s happiest on the football field, wherever he’s playing.

“Sports are all about teaching life lessons,’’ said Gerard Phelan. “For me, and I’m sure it’ll be for Alex, you do what you can and utilize your ability to benefit the team as much as you can.’’

To little surprise, Alex shares a similar philosophy. “My thing is, work as hard as you can, do everything that’s in your control, and you can’t be upset with the outcome,’’ he said. “That’s just how I look at things. And there may be some things you don’t like, but given you’ve done everything you could in your power to get it done, put yourself in the best position to succeed.’’

Phelan has been throwing footballs all summer, however, keeping his arm loose. Just in case.

Fitzpatrick settling in at Lehigh field hockey

Sophie Fitzpatrick
allowed just six goals for the Duxbury field hockey team last season, and while she quickly realized the competition level has changed since stepping onto the Lehigh campus in Bethlehem, Penn., two weeks ago, she has a bigger challenge.

“The first week, I was so scared,’’ she said. “Especially being goalie, it’s a really vocal role. And it’s hard directing people who are captains and Patriot League MVPs. But I love it here. I’m getting more comfortable being myself, getting on the field and talking. It’s all about the mindset. A lot to get used to.’’

Abington’s O’Neil takes 6th at junior nationals

Abington High junior Colleen O’Neil
(inset) placed sixth in the 100-meter breaststroke at the USA Swimming Junior Nationals earlier this month in Indianapolis. The 16-year-old O’Neil, clocking in at 1:11.7, was the first member of the Weymouth Waves club program to medal at the junior nationals. It was her last competitive meet until December, when she will swim at the Short Course Juniors in Knoxville, Tenn. She competed in the Olympic Trials earlier this summer but failed to qualify in the 200-meter individual medley.