Warriors seek fifth straight victory tomorrow night at Knowlton Stadium
SENIOR RB Joe Marinaccio (#8) is grabbed by the jersey by Burlington’s John Semenaro (#53) during last Friday night’s win at Landrigan Field. Also in the photo are Warrior teammates Pat Bertini (#70), Alex McKenna (#7), Devin O’Brien (#77) and PJ Iannuzzi (#40). (Donna Larsson Photo)
Published in the October 20, 2016 edition.
By JIM SOUTHMAYD
WINCHESTER — When the Wakefield Memorial High football team met Winchester last year in a Middlesex League crossover game the Warriors needed a win just to get into the playoffs.
This fall, Wakefield is in the playoffs but the game still has importance for the Warriors as they seek a higher position in Div. 2A North and a home playoff game.
The Warriors and Sachems play tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at Knowlton Stadium.
Winchester’s home field doesn’t have lights but portable ones will be used for a night game. Tomorrow night will also be Senior Night for the Sachems.
Wakefield is 4-2 overall entering the game and just wrapped up a share of the M.L. Freedom division championship while Winchester enters the game with a 2-4 record and 1-3 in the M.L. Liberty division.
The Sachems are currently ranked 10th in Div. 2 North and are on the outside looking in for a playoff berth. Winchester not only needs to win but also needs help from other sources to make the postseason. Even that might not be enough as Winchester might not earn enough points to get in.
“We’ve played them over the last couple of years whether it be in a consolation game or a crossover game,” said Head Coach Steve Cummings. “It’s nice to have a matchup against a team from the old league once in a while.”
While the past four weeks have been about realizing the goal of winning a league championship, the Warriors’ focus has shifted toward playoff positioning and getting ready for the postseason. Currently Wakefield is fifth in the rankings and it is seeking to move past Gloucester and into fourth which would mean a home playoff contest in the quarterfinal round.
“We want to improve our position in the playoffs. We need a win and Beverly needs a win against Lynn Classical. If that happens, then we will have more points than Gloucester and get the number four seed,” said Cummings.
The Warriors dropped their first two games of the season against Beverly and then Marblehead which is currently at the top of Div. 2A North and could be the top-seeded team for the playoffs. Since then they have defeated Watertown, Wilmington, Stoneham and Burlington.
“Every game we have improved. Why build all this momentum if we don’t take advantage of it with this game and the playoffs,” said Cummings. “We need this win to keep our momentum going. It’s very important for us.”
The Sachems’ two wins are against Wilmington and Arlington. Winchester also lost by a touchdown to both Malden Catholic and Belmont last week. The Sachems nearly pulled off the upset of the year as they came up short against undefeated Lexington in a 28-27 game.
“Winchester lost by a point to Lexington and lost a close one against Belmont the past couple of weeks,” said Cummings. “They hung in there for a while against Reading. Their coach, Wally Dembowski, runs a sophisticated offense. We know their team runs a lot of spread offense and they like to play fast paced. We need to read and react.”
Winchester is led by junior QB Liam Fitzpatrick who can run and throw the ball much like Burlington quarterback Dylan Bonfilio last Friday night. Last week against Belmont, Fitzpatrick ran for 55 yards on 11 carries and scored two touchdowns. Through the air, Fitzpatrick completed 13 out of 24 passes for 241 yards and a touchdown. He was also intercepted once.
“He makes his runs and throws with the read option,” said Cummings. “Offensively, he puts a lot of pressure on the defense. He’s got a good arm and is a talented quarterback. He reminds me of Bonfilio.”
Henry McDonough, a junior wide receiver, is Fitzpatrick’s primary target. He had nine receptions for 194 yards and one touchdown.
Meanwhile the Warriors have been playing well both sides of the ball. They are balanced between the run and pass and have been playing solid defense. Wakefield has also been opportunistic winning the turnover battle in each of its four victories.
“We went to keep the train on the tracks,” said Cummings. “We’re not flashy but we have guys that do the little things right. We’ve been opportunistic on defense getting turnovers. We might not always score off them but we have changed field position. I think when teams win the turnover battle, the chances of winning go up to 80 percent.
“Against Burlington we got a few turnovers and we were able to takes some shots. Our line played well and the quick strikes helped energize us,” added Cummings. “In the kicking game, we had some good returns and our coverage has been pretty good.
“We’ve been able to protect the football and it is not a coincidence that we have been successful during that time,” continued Cummings. “We’ve had good fundamentals.”
The Warriors may also have to deal with inclement weather again on Friday night since showers have been forecast. Wakefield will also have to deal with the emotion of Senior Night and with the portable lights which are typically lower than permanent light fixtures.
“Winchester is going to to be tough. It is their Senior Night,” said Cummings. “We also have the portable lights to deal with. It can be be an adventure when a pass or kick goes up above the lights. We have to aware of it on punts and deep balls. If we have to let a punt go and lose field position to risk not turning it over and having the ball at own 20. We need to be smart.”
A win to end the regular season would give the Warriors huge momentum heading into the playoffs. A victory could also mean another home game Wakefield as well. So there is still plenty on the line for Wakefield.
