Melrose gets job done with 26-13 win over Masco

Published in the September 16, 2016 edition

THE MELROSE Red Raider football team held Masconomet scoreless in the second half to clinch a 26-13 season-opening win on the road last Friday. Melrose (1-0) hosts their home opener against Waltham tonight. (file photo) 

THE MELROSE Red Raider football team held Masconomet scoreless in the second half to clinch a 26-13 season-opening win on the road last Friday. Melrose (1-0) hosts their home opener against Waltham tonight. (file photo)

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—The Melrose High football team opened their 2016 season in fine style with a 26-13 road victory over Masconomet on Friday, September 9 at Bunker Field in Boxford. Melrose (1-0) now prepares for their home opener against Waltham at Fred Green Field tonight at 7:00 p.m.

Melrose defense held the Chieftains scoreless in the second half while Red Raider offense put up fourteen unanswered, second half points on the board, erasing a 13-12 Melrose deficit at halftime.

The Raiders faced a formidable opponent in Masco veteran quarterback Declan Judge, who threw for over 250 yards, but fortunately for Melrose, new quarterback Jack Mays rose to the occasion. The senior signal caller threw for two touchdowns and ran for one, while senior captain Steven Abbot hauled in two of them for the Red Raiders.

Melrose forced a Masco punt on the opening drive, and Red Raider Jack Mays took over, showing no signs of jitters on his opening drive for Melrose, helping drive the ball up field with help from with senior captain Mike Pedrini (1 TD). Mays tossed a twenty yard touchdown pass to Steven Abbott, giving Melrose a 6-0 lead. But in the next drive Masco’s Judge connected on a series of passes and ran for a 1 yard TD that tied the game up at 6-6 (blocked extra point).

Melrose failed to get beyond the 50 on their next possession and in a drive that culminated in an interception. Masco took over and drove the ball to the Melrose 35 when Judge connected with Paul Baker. Melrose defense, spearheaded by tackles from Adam Caffey, thwarted any run attempt and Melrose received the ball on downs on their own 29. On 3rd and 10 Melrose’s Mays connected on a key 50 yard bomb to Abbott and Pedrini did the rest, running for a 20 yard touchdown that gave Melrose a 12-6 lead (extra point no good). Masco responded immediately with a 1st and 10 pass from their own 28 into the arms of Jason Slattery who ran into the end zone for a touchdown and extra point that put the Chieftains ahead of Melrose for the first (and last) time in the evening.

Melrose regrouped at halftime, and coach Tim Morris’ team came out and simply shut down the Chieftains while Mays and Abbott continued their successful evening. Abbot scored on a 87 yard run in the third and icing on the cake came from Mays with a 14 yard fourth quarter touchdown run.

The final result was a 26-13 win for Melrose, who sits on top of the Middlesex Freedom League with Watertown and Stoneham, both winners last weekend.

On tap tonight is a home opener against a Waltham team Melrose beat in 2015 by a score of 37-10. They arrive Friday night at 7:00 p.m. at Fred Green Field.