OTO ALBANESE connected on a touchdown pass thrown by Melrose QB Josh Madden during Melrose’s 35-13 loss to Reading. (photo by Raj Das, edphotos.com)
Reading hands Melrose 35-13 loss; Malden tonight
MELROSE—Playing Reading is always a must-see event for the Melrose High football team. Unfortunately for boys, they had to play a red-hot Rocket team right out of the gate.
Melrose opened their season with a 35-13 loss against Reading at a well-attended home game at Fred Green Field last Friday evening, Sept. 9. Melrose’s scores were completed by Oto Albanese on a touchdown pass thrown by Melrose QB Josh Madden, and Madden on a 1-yard keeper set up by Nico Chiulli.
Melrose had to contend with Reading’s senior quarterback James Murphy, who started as a freshman QB and has reached his senior year. He went 17-27 with 300 yards in passing. With over 6,000 career passing yards, it was safe to assume he’d make the night hard for Melrose.
Yet, by the end of the first quarter, it was anyone’s game with no score. However, a productive second quarter saw Murphy throw for two touchdowns, connecting with Jessie Doherty and Jack Daugherty. At halftime Melrose was down, 22-0. By the end of third Reading was up 29-7 with Melrose on board after a beautiful touchdown pass to Oto Albanese. Late in the game, Nico Chiulli launched an impressive 40-yard run that set up a Madden 1-yard TD for Melrose’s second and last score of the night.
In the fourth, Reading scored the final blow on a Max Leone 12- yard touchdown run.
Melrose will breathe a sigh of relief when they battle Malden on the road this Friday. The Golden Tornadoes are an annual non-league opponent and Melrose has been very successful against them. The boys in red and white beat Malden 38-0 last year. Will history repeat itself? Find out tonight at MacDonald Stadium in Malden.
Kick off is early: 6:00 p.m. Prepare in advance.
