Road trip to Masco kicks off 2016 campaign
Published in the September 9, 2016 edition
THE MHS football team gets some practice time in before their season opener tonight on the road against Masconomet. (Donna Larsson photo)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE — The Div. 3 North champion Melrose Red Raider football team opens its 2016 season this Friday evening, Sept. 9, when they travel to Masconomet Regional High for a 7 p.m. showdown at Bunker Stadium.
Melrose is coming off one of its finest seasons ever after a second consecutive trip the Div. 3 Super Bowl. The Middlesex League champs enjoyed a undefeated 12-0 regular season before falling to Dartmouth in last year’s finale.
While no doubt there is pressure to reach the same heights, coach Tim Morris is cautiously optimist, if not pragmatic, about the transitions being made on the field now, as Melrose readies for their opener against a Masco team they beat 41-14 in last year’s home opener. Still, Melrose has lost several seniors to graduation, which opens a lot of positional spots for underclassmen to battle for.
The coach acknowledges this is a different year with a new cast of characters, who are adapting to their roles on the field. “We’re a work in progress. You experience the pre-season growing pains, because you’re playing catch up with new players in new roles. But they are working hard and many worked hard on the off season and in the weight room.”
Meanwhile, three very skilled and experienced senior captains return in Steven Abbott, Colin Casey and Mike Pedrini. All three were vital components of Melrose’s trip to Gillette last winter.
“Our senior captains really have helped create a great culture on the team,” says Morris. “Steven has worked incredibly hard in the off season, he has speed and can cover both sides of the ball. Colin really knows how to read offense and has tons of experience. And it’s not every day you return with an All Scholastic like Mike [Pedrini].”
Morris notes that new quarterback Jack Mays is “coming along,” and should see time behind the ball against Masco.
Fans can expect to see Pedrini handling the ball – a lot. But he could be aided by efforts from speedy sophomore Isaac Siede or junior Rey Guity. Also look for Drew DiFraia, Connor Crovo or Kevin Peet to possibly be in the mix for a ground game. Expect big contributions from linemen such as Casey, Patrick Whelan, Antonio DiFronzo, Adam Caffey, Christian McAree and Mike Sickler. And Melrose lost a gem with the graduation of Mike Cusolito on special teams, but look for punting duties to be possibly filled by junior Mike Calvert.
It goes without saying that Mike Pedrini will be a major force for Melrose, a team that averaged about 30 points a game in 2015, and allowed about 11, thanks in large part to Pedrini’s efforts. Still, it will take a collective team-wide effort to return to playoffs this season. And their post season landscape may look a bit different in their new Division, 2A, but the Middlesex League remains competitive. “The change of division – you know, it feels the same,” says Morris. “Wakefield is there, Burlington and Wilmington. Even Danvers, who we played last year in playoffs. It doesn’t seem like too many unknowns. We ultimately cross that bridge when we get there.”
But first up – Masconomet: a team Melrose has opened up against since 2014. And despite Melrose’s romping of the Chieftains last fall, it’s a new season now and a clear slate. “Masco’s a well coached team, they are big up front with some skilled players,” says Morris. “Traveling there this season makes it different.” The Chieftains finished 4-7 last season but do bring a talented returning quarterback in Declan Judge and a running game that could feature Peter Kitsakos.
Kick off is at 7 p.m. at Bunker Stadium at Masconomet Regional High.
