Pedrini’s 3 TDs top Burlington; Melrose improves to 2-1
Published in the September 30, 2016 edition
MIKE PEDRINI’S three touchdowns helped Melrose take down Burlington 30-18 last Friday night on the road, and improve to 2-1. (Donna Larsson photo)
By JENNIFER GENTILE
BURLINGTON — Mike Pedrini earned himself a good night’s sleep last Friday evening after a memorable road trip to Burlington.
The Melrose high senior running back helped the Red Raider football team stage a second half comeback and 30-18 win over a tough Burlington team on Sept. 23 at Varsity Field in Burlington. Pedrini proved he is the Middlesex League MVP and an All Scholastic for a reason. He scored three touchdowns for Melrose, including a 100-yard second half kickoff return, to help Melrose improve to 2-1 and 1-0 in the M.L. Freedom division.
Pedrini amassed 323 all purpose yards over the evening, carrying the ball 32 times and hauling in two touchdown passes from Melrose QB Jack Mays. Pedrini simply did it all for Tim Morris’ Red Raiders, including special team work and defense.
“Mike’s kickoff return to open the second half really set the tone,” said Morris. “He did everything we asked of him and what we’ve come to expect from him.”
Burlington had some wattage of its own, including running back Zack Cyr and seasoned quarterback Dylan Bonfilio. “Their quarterback is outstanding,” said Morris. “And their running back [Cyr] is a beast. They have a lot of talent in their skill positions. They’re a tough team to beat.”
But what Burlington couldn’t do is top Pedrini, who helped Melrose put up 16 unanswered second half points after a rather shaky first half that saw Burlington on board first when Zach Cyr ran for an 18 yard touchdown. Melrose responded when Pedrini and Mays marched Melrose down the field on 8 play, 70 yard drive that culminated in Pedrini’s 2 yard TD to tie it up 6-6.
Both Melrose and Burlington struggled with extra points and while the Red Devils came up empty on two point conversions, Pedrini hauled in three of them for Melrose, just to add to his repertoire. Both teams were tied at 6-6.
Burlington’s Cyr scored a 43 yard rushing touchdown early in the second to give Burlington a brief lead of 12-6. On Melrose’s next possession they moved the ball methodically on a series of six first downs behind the efforts of Connor Crovo, Pedrini and Mays, who found the end zone on first and goal with two minutes before the half to put Melrose up 14-12. (Pedrini two points good)
Melrose appeared off guard when Burlington scored on their next possession, on a long TD throw to Fernando Lamin, which gave the Red Devils back a lead of 18-14 at the half. “We let up a few big plays and turned the ball over more than we should,” acknowledged Morris.
After the half however, Melrose defense clamped down on Bonfilio and Cyr and Pedrini did the rest. He opened the second half with an astonishing 100 yard return that silenced the crowd and gave Melrose a 22-18 lead. It seemed to take the air out of Burlington’s game, along with a deluge of rain that began in the third quarter.
On Burlington’s next possession they fumbled, recovered by Melrose’s Colin Casey. Pedrini scored again on a 25 yard rush and his two point conversion gave Melrose their final score of 30-18.
With the win, Melrose managed to put a pretty worthy league rival behind them and now stand at 1-0- in the league. Up next: a road trip to Watertown, a skilled team coming off an overtime loss to Wakefield.
“We still have our work to do,” says Morris. “We want to focus on keeping momentum the whole game. We’ll have our work cut out for us against Watertown.”
The Raiders have talented skilled position players and bring to the field their seasoned quarterback Deon Smith and running back Zach Rimsa. Action starts at 7 p.m. at Victory Field in Watertown.
