Morris looks to clinch 200 in tonight’s road opener
FRIDAY NIGHT Lights are back as the 2024 MHS football team opens their season tonight on the road in Peabody against last year’s 10-1 Tanners. Action starts at 7:00 p.m. Melrose opens at home next Friday against Reading. (photo by Raj Das edphotos.com)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
COACH TIM Morris of the MHS football team is searching for his 200th career win and can do it with a win over Peabody on the road tonight. (file photo)
MELROSE—There’s a lot at stake for the 2024 Melrose High football team, who opens tonight on the road in Peabody for a first ever meeting against the Tanners in a 7:00 p.m. tilt at Peabody High.
A milestone looms for MHS head coach Tim Morris, who is on the cusp of clinching his 200th career win as Melrose High coach tonight. It would be fantastic to earn it right off the bat, even better at home on Sept. 13 when Melrose opens against Reading. However, this milestone is the furthest in coach Morris’ mind as he talks of their season preparation. “I’m trying not to focus on that,” says coach Morris, now in his 30th year as coach. “And I don’t want the team to focus on it either. [The milestone] really just says how long I’ve been around in order to get it [chuckles.] This season is about our whole team. Not one person.”
Regardless, earning that achievement is truly a reflection of the coach’s decades-long dedication to the team, whom he has directed to multiple Super Bowl wins and numerous appearances at Gillette over the last decade. Morris is currently the 9th winningest high school football coach still active in Massachusetts.
And while winning ways are becoming expected for Melrose and its large fan base, the boys have more to prove this season after not making playoffs last year, a bone of contention for many, as Melrose finished an otherwise very strong 7-4 season but were nonetheless robbed of a playoff selection with a not-so-popular Power Ranking vote by the MIAA.
Much was down to the unfortunate low strength of schedule on Melrose’s 2023 schedule, coming from some historically strong Middlesex League teams which statistically hurt Melrose’s chances for playoffs. For now, it’s a playoff system Melrose will have to live with, though Morris would prefer an “old school” schedule with Middlesex League teams all playing each other. He contends, “It’s something I’ve proposed. But in the meantime, we want to build a strong schedule because we had a good team last season.”
And they will this season, too, with quad captains Jack McAree (OL), Sam Madden (WR), Keegan Moloney (tailback) and Nick Hitchman (strong safety) returning. These playmakers will pick up right where Melrose left off last fall.
Quarterback Jack Feeney had plenty of minutes last season, and as a junior, will be the offensive leader for the next few seasons. “Jack is getting snaps, developing and learning our system,” reports Morris.
Melrose will also benefit from big playmakers like Marco Albanese (DB, receiver), Max Lanciani and Rich Harrison all returning. The three, along with Hitchman, can make opponents pay the price when they find a hole down field. Overall, the collection of returners have scored a lot of touchdowns and have a distinct ability to pick off passes.
It will be Melrose’s offensive line that will be a key focus this season. “We’re building it, not a lot of size or experience there beyond Jack McAree, but it will come together,” says the coach.
So far this preseason, Melrose has taken on teams such as Billerica, Masconomet and Lynnfield in scrimmage play. “They’re working hard. We’ve got a good mix of plenty of seniors and younger kids. The weather has been great and we’ve had longer pre season, which is an advantage.”
Melrose has a rare bye week on Sept. 20.
Fans should note that Melrose only has three home games (excluding Thanksgiving, at home this year). And one of those games is held on a Thursday night (Oct. 10). Of course, playoff contention would add additional games, home or away.
As for the Middlesex League, Melrose should be on the lookout for rival Wakefield and Burlington, two competitive teams in 2023. Wakefield in particular could pose another challenge to Melrose in 2023. As for their home opener against Reading, expect a team who will be fighting from an off season in 2023, but one that has components to always be strong. Says Morris, “They had some injuries last year but Murphy [quarterback] returns as a senior. They also have good receivers and linemen. It will be competitive.”
But tonight, they will travel to Peabody Veteran’s Memorial Field to take on a Tanners team who won 10 games in 2023 during a playoff-run season. Action starts this Friday night, Sept. 6, at 7:00 p.m.
