By D.M.Livingston|Published Dec 7, 2025

Waterbury- Holy Cross is one win away from a trip to the Class M state championship, but standing in their way is one of the most balanced and battle-tested teams in Connecticut: the Berlin Redcoats. This matchup is a true contrast of styles — Holy Cross brings explosive offense and star power, while Berlin arrives with a heavy run game and old-school toughness.

This is the semifinal you circle.

All stats courtesy

Max Preps

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HOLY CROSS CRUSADERS — TEAM PROFILE

Record: Elite

Identity: Firepower. Playmakers. Efficiency.

Scoring: 36.1 points per game

Holy Cross has been one of the most dangerous offenses in the state all season. They can score fast, score often, and score from anywhere on the field.

Offensive Leaders

• QB: B. Lombardo — 235.5 passing YDS/G
  One of the top passers in Connecticut, nearly 240 total yards per game. Accurate, confident, big-arm threat.
• RB: N. Craft — 94.9 rushing YDS/G
  Physical runner with big-game tempo control.
• WR: D. Graves — 99.8 receiving YDS
  One of the most dangerous wideouts in CT. Red-zone monster, deep-ball killer.

Waterbury’s Dae’Sean Graves Shines at Wide Receiver for Holy Cross High School

Defense

• Tackles leader: N. July — 7.6 tackles/G
  Sets the tone in the middle.
• Sacks leader: Petrokaitis — 0.3/G
  Disruptive presence.

Team Stats

• 335.1 total YDS/G
• 34.6 points/G
• Strong early scoring (20.5 in first half on average)

Holy Cross wins by getting ahead early and forcing opponents to play from behind.

The Crusaders are fast, explosive, and confident — and they’re peaking at the right time.

Waterbury’s Holy Cross Crusaders Beat Down the Odds, Earns Class M Semifinal Berth

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OPPONENT TEAM PROFILE: BERLIN REDCOATS

Record: Disciplined. Tough. Old-school football.

Identity: Heavy run, defensive pressure, time-of-possession control.

Scoring: 38.5 points/G

Berlin is not flashy — they’re effective. They lean on a punishing run game and a defense that can rush the passer.

Offensive Leaders

• QB: C. Puzio — 72.5 passing YDS/G, 57.3 rushing YDS/G
  Dual-threat, but built on tough yardage and smart reads.
• RB Room: 213.4 rushing YDS/G
  This is the strength of the team. They run downhill.
• WR: C. Rio — 41.8 receiving YDS/G
  Rarely targeted, but can hit you when defense stacks the run.

Defense

• Tackles leader: R. Lavender — 6.4/G
• Sacks leader: S. Granger — 0.9/G
  One of the best pass-rushers Holy Cross has seen this year.

Team Stats

• 296.9 total YDS/G
• 83.5 passing YDS/G
• 2.0 sacks/G (advantage over HC)
• Balanced scoring (first two quarters strong)

Berlin wants a slow, physical, possession-driven game — the exact opposite of Holy Cross.

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MATCHUP BREAKDOWN

Offense vs Defense

• Holy Cross has the better passing game (228.8 YDS/G to Berlin’s 83.5).
• Berlin runs the ball nearly twice as well (213.4 to 106.3).

This game will swing on tempo:

• If Berlin controls the clock with long drives → they’re dangerous.
• If Holy Cross scores early and forces Berlin to throw → advantage Holy Cross.

X-Factors

• Holy Cross: The Lombardo-to-Graves connection. If they hit early, Berlin cannot keep up.
• Berlin: Their defensive line. If they disrupt Lombardo, this becomes a street fight.

Scoring Comparison

• Holy Cross: 36.1 PPG
• Berlin: 38.5 PPG

Both teams can score — but they do it in completely different ways.

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PREDICTION

If Holy Cross protects the ball and jumps ahead early, their speed and passing game will be too much for Berlin’s run-first style.
If Berlin slows the pace and keeps the Crusaders off the field, this becomes a fourth-quarter grind.

This is a true semifinal — no shortcuts, no soft spots.

Lean: Holy Cross 34, Berlin 28

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