At 3-3, Melrose looks to turns things around

Published in the October 19, 2018 edition

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—The Melrose Red Raider football team has now fallen to 3-3 after two consecutive losses; this after a 21-14 defeat by the Winchester Sachems at Knowlton Stadium last Friday evening, Oct. 12. With a regular season finale scheduled on the road this evening in Burlington, Melrose is in must-win mode as they look to secure the last playoff spot in the Div. 4 bracket. 

Friday’s victory was the first time Winchester has beaten Melrose in several years, and they did behind the scoring of Henry Kraft, who had two touchdowns for the Sachems. Melrose scored twice courtesy of Billy Pesce and Chris Cusolito. 

Melrose and Winchester traded punts in the opening possessions, but the Sachems struck first when quarterback Tony Fiorentino connected with Henry Kraft and Brendan Curran for a 5 yard touchdown four minutes into the game. Melrose quarterback Jesse Gardner connected with Matt Dussault twice and Kevin Peete ran for a first down to bring Melrose to the 21 yard line. Peete broke through a wall of linemen with a clear path towards the end zone when he fumbled the ball on the three yard line and teammate Billy Pesce came from behind to scoop it up into the end zone for a touchdown which made it a 7-6 game (kick failed) with 3:25 left in the first.  

THE RED Raider football team searches for answers after a 21-14 loss against Winchester, which puts them 3-3 on the season. (Donna Larsson photo)

Melrose had an opportunity to extend that lead when Jared Karelas recovered a fumble on the Melrose 49. But right after the Red Raiders assumed possession, Gardner’s throw was picked off at the Winchester 40 by Henry Kraft, who returned the ball 60 yards for a touchdown. Winchester a 14-6 lead with 1:09 left in the first. Melrose tied things up with a drive that began on the 48. Kevin Peete had what would have been a touchdown called back for holding, before Jesse Gardner connected on a huge pass to Sean Herbert at the Winchester 40 and Herbert took off to the 23 yard line. From there Christopher Cusolito broke through tackles for a 30 yard rushing touchdown. Melrose made it an even game when Kevin Peete ran a two point conversion to make it 14-14 with 10:44 left behind halftime. 

Melrose forced the punt and got great yardage on the 49 and moved the ball to Sachem territory when Gardner connected with Andy Calvert on a pass. But Gardner was intercepted by Jakob Flores, who returned it all the way to the Melrose 13. The Red Raiders climbed out of that hole with a solid defensive stand and a pass broken up in the end zone on 4th and 5. The two teams went into halftime locked at 14.

That stalemate went into the fourth quarter. Winchester drained the clock on a 14-play, 80 yard drive that culminated in a 14-yard touchdown pass to Henry Kraft to give the Sachems a 21-14 lead with 7:40 left in the game. Melrose began a drive on the 48 with 2:06 left in the game. Gardner connected on a 11-yard pass to Herbert. But he was sacked by Bobby Hyers and Chris Ferguson for loss of yards. On fourth and 24, Gardner tossed a Hail Mary into the end zone but came up empty, turning the ball over on downs and bringing back Winchester’s Fiorentino, who took a knee and gave Winchester a 21-14 win.

Melrose will travel to Burlington to face the 5-1 Red Devils (see accompanying story) hoping for a win to keep playoff hopes alive. 

DIVISION 4 NORTH RANKINGS

1. Marblehead (6-0)

2. Wayland (5-1)

3. Burlington (5-1)

4. Gloucester (5-1)

5. North Reading (4-2)

6. Dracut (3-2)

7. Melrose (3-3)

8. Wilmington (3-3)