UPDATE: Tough loss for Melrose football against Burlington following win over Woburn 

Convincing victory over Woburn, 35-6

MELROSE HIGH football picked up a crushing win over Woburn, 35-6 last Thursday at home as they improve to 2-3 on the season. (photo by Raj Das, edphotos.com)

After press time:
Melrose falls to Burlington 43-36 (Oct. 18)

By JENNIFER GENTILE 

MELROSE—The Melrose High varsity football team is in good shape as they approach the second half of the season after picking up an impressive win over a competitive Woburn Tanner team at home last Thursday by a score of 35-6.

Melrose (2-3) is also enjoying a strong Power Ranking spot at No. 10 in their division that, if holds, will see Melrose return to playoffs this fall. But there is a lot of football left to play and that includes a tough outing against Burlington on the road this Friday evening. The Red Devils are 5-0 on the season.

Melrose’s intense strength of schedule is paying off Power Ranking-wise. Losses against unbeaten teams such as Stoneham and Reading have factored in their analytics, but so has Melrose’s overall improved play. The boys in red are enjoying a line that has come into their own, a solid special teams unit, the confident and skilled display of quarterback Jack Feeney and Melrose’s fantastic running game which was all on display on Thursday, particularly from senior captain Marco Albanese who was all over the field for Tim Morris’ squad.

It was another great game for quarterback Feeney who ran for two touchdowns and Albanese, who scored on a long 40 yard score, along with Rich Harrison who found the end zone as well after a 50 yard run.

Woburn started strong with a quick drive into Melrose territory behind the work of QB Caeden Davis but his 40-yard dagger was picked off by Melrose’s Albanese on the Melrose 5 to hand the ball over and kill that drive. But Woburn would eventually strike first when Tom Kineavy had a 35-yard touchdown run, while a missed extra point kept the game 6-0.

Woburn wouldn’t score again however, though they had plenty of chances, but Melrose defense did the job over the evening. Melrose saw a nice kickoff return by Chris Cinella, before launching an 8-play drive on the legs of Max Lanciani and a Feeney toss to Nick Hitchman downfield. That set up a 17-yard Feeney TD run the end zone and a good kick from a flawless Pat Buggy (5-5 in the night) to give Melrose the decisive edge, 7-6. Melrose would extend that lead in the closing moments before halftime when Albanese took a screen pass for 25 yards that set up Melrose in Tanner territory. Then Feeney connected with Nick Hitchman on a 26-yard touchdown pass, and Melrose was up 14-6 on another good Buggy kick.

In the second half, Melrose defense showed its teeth with great stops and tackles by Sebastian Fiote, Jack McAree, Nate Geer, Nick Hitchman and Keegan Moloney. A key sack by Melrose’s Alijandro Lopez helped force a 4^th down turnover that took the air out of Woburn’s game as Melrose approached the 4^th quarter.

On Melrose’s next possession Feeney had a long 25-yard pass to Tyler Garipay but saw it called back on a holding call. Melrose would later make up for it with a 41-yard rushing touchdown by Marco Albanese to take a 21-6 lead heading into the fourth.

From there, Melrose had a huge 50-yard run by Rich Harrison who was nearly at the end zone before taken down at the 2. He’d later trot into the end zone and Melrose took a larger lead of 28-6 with seven minutes left.

Woburn’s last threatening drive saw a deep Davis pass picked off by Melrose’s Nate Geer who ran over 30 yards to help set up a Feeney 6-yard touchdown to give Melrose a final 35-6 lead that improved them to 2-3 this season.

The tough schedule continues tonight when Melrose faces road opponent Burlington who is 5-0 on the season. That game will be played this (Friday) evening at 6:00 p.m. at Burlington High School. Next week, Melrose is on the road in Watertown, and they will return on Nov. 1 to host Wilmington.