McGavisk makes huge return to gridiron

ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

By: Rudy Brandl
   SOMERSET — Pete McGavisk is back.
   The senior running back returned to the gridiron in a big way for the Hillsborough High football team in Sunday afternoon’s game at Franklin. McGavisk missed the first two games of the 2006 season and is still hampered by a sports hernia, but he was well enough to lead the Raiders to an amazing 22-21 comeback victory.
   McGavisk, who scored two touchdowns and dove into the end zone for the winning two-point conversion, is the Hillsborough Beacon Athlete of the Week.
   "It felt great to get back out there," McGavisk said afterward. "Sitting on the sidelines is one of the worst things you can imagine."
   McGavisk finally got the opportunity to join his younger brother Zack, a sophomore linebacker, in a varsity game. The McGavisk brothers grew up playing football but were never on the same team because of a two-year age difference. Sunday, they shared in a great Raider victory.
   "We’ve never played together before," Pete McGavisk said. "It’s great playing with all the young kids. They’re all my brother’s friends. They all handled themselves very well today."
   Pete McGavisk did most of his damage as a receiver in Sunday’s victory. He caught a career-high nine passes for 92 yards with a 10-yard touchdown reception in the first quarter and two-yard TD grab in the fourth. McGavisk is loving the new wide-open spread option attack implemented by first-year head coach Vinnie Coviello.
   "It’s great," said McGavisk, who also contributed 24 rushing yards on six attempts. "It gives you a lot of chances to get in the open and make a play."
   Coviello felt the return of McGavisk was a key in Sunday’s win. Anthony Jenkins and Justin Smith carried most of the load in the first two games, but McGavisk gave the Raiders another threat out of the backfield.
   "Having Pete back gave us more flexibility," Coviello said. "It’s an awesome thing to have three backs to rotate in. It gives you more fresh legs. Pete made a lot of plays today."