Published November 8, 2019
The competition increases tonight
MELROSE—It’s hard to believe that Melrose is only two games away from the Super Bowl.
You read that right. Melrose enters semifinals tonight hoping to punch their ticket to the Div. 4 North Finals next week. The Div. 4 North victor gets an automatic bid to Gillette Stadium (Div. 4 North enjoys the bid this season – it rotates among divisions each year.) So no, it’s not too early to think about motoring down to Foxboro, but there is a lot of competitive football to play, starting tonight at Fred Green Field when Melrose hosts Marblehead at 7:00 p.m.
Marblehead (6-2) is an always-tough team who isn’t all unfamiliar to Melrose. The Magicians were coming off a two-game losing streak when they began playoffs last week against North Reading and they beat the Hornets, 27-7. The Magicians two losses this season were to undefeated Revere and Danvers.
Besides Stoneham, Marblehead probably represents the toughest competition for Melrose to date. They bring to the field quarterback Josh Robertson and running back Tim Cronin. The Magicians have had a pretty competitive schedule, which makes their 6-2 record a bit misleading. But can they outmuscle a Melrose team who has outscored rivals 179-29 in the last four games?
Doubtful.
Prediction: Melrose 35, Marblehead 14.
