14 months after Super Bowl win, football returns
Published March 5, 2021
By JENNIFER GENTILE
MELROSE—The Super Bowl champs are back.
The Melrose Red Raider football team will be coming to a television screen near you as they embark on their 2021 Fall2 season. Their varsity season runs from March 20-April 25 and will feature five, regular season games with the potential for a non-league crossover to close the season, with no playoffs on tap. The Div. 4 Champions return almost two years older than they were at Gillette Stadium when they collected their state championship trophy. They’re also a senior-experienced team that will no doubt be ready to pick up where they left off in Foxboro.
What’s different this year is COVID-19, which means most Red Raider fans will be viewing their games from the comfort of their couches and will rely on live stream work from Melrose High TV and MMTV. The public will not be admitted into the games.
Coming off a Super Bowl year, participant numbers are up for Melrose. MHS football are 85 strong, with 45 members allowed to suit up for varsity. Melrose head coach Tim Morris is pleased with the turnout for tryouts. “Our numbers are great. I think kids are eager to compete and be part of this,” he says. “Everyone is just grateful to be outside. I overheard one of the kids at practice say ‘It’s so awesome to be out here’. It means so much to stay active and play their sport, especially for our seniors.”
Leading the Red Raiders are senior captains Brendan Fennell, Matt Hickey and Andrew Norton Jefferson, all multi-sport talented athletes. Fennell returns after leading the Red Raiders to a Super Bowl win as quarterback plus a record breaking hockey career at MHS. Andrew Norton Jefferson is Melrose’s true returning lineman and Hickey is expected to resume his role as prime running back.
Melrose players haven’t suited up in 14 months, which means they’ve grown in that time, but also have a little catching up to do. Says Morris, “It’s been a long time coming, but these kids have stayed in shape, worked out in their other sports and hit the weight room. They’ve grown. My seniors are practically graduates. My juniors are practically seniors. But I think these athletes have stayed positive in all of this. They had other successful sport seasons and stayed healthy. They know what’s at stake. With that said, we’ve got work to do.”
Melrose will compete in five league games, with unfortunately just two at home, and a possible non league to finish the season. The Red Raiders return a talented group of seniors who saw minutes last year and are ready for prime time. That includes players like Joe Whitley, Andy George, Michael Overlan, Jack Parella, Jake Rowe and Gavin Crowley. Look for key positions to be held by Ryan Maher (receiver) Charlie Haggerty (secondary/wide receiver) and Matt Dussault (tight end). Juniors who should see time include Shea Fogarty, Justin Camelio, Liam Maher and Pat Lucien. Returning kicker Zac Federico will be once again counted on to thread the needle. Says Morris, “Zac had a great basketball season and is used to being under fire.”
Overall, Melrose has a balanced roster and depth that will make them very competitive—isn’t that always the Red Raider way? “We tend to play a senior heavy team,” says coach Morris. “And it should be hard as an underclassmen to get time. So we have a lot of guys who’ve been waiting for this opportunity. And we’re glad there is a season for it.”
Another thing they’re grateful for? Mother Nature. Weather has been on their side as they engaged in practice and tryouts last week. Confirms Morris, “We lucked out with the snow melting and being able to get full practices in.”
Come rain or shine, or any starts or stops, Melrose football is back where it belongs. “I expect speed bumps along the way, given the situation of the pandemic, but it’s just great to have our season take off,” says Morris. “We’re ready to just play.”
Full schedule
Sat Mar 20
6:00 PM Stoneham @ Woburn High football field
Sat Mar 27
2:00 PM Watertown @ Victory Stadium (Watertown)
Sat Apr 3
12:00 PM v. Wilmington (Home)
Sat Apr 10
10:30 AM @ Burlington High
Sat Apr 17
12:00 PM v. Wakefield (home)
Sat April 24
TBA, (potential cross over)
