THE MELROSE High football team hosted Reading in their home opener last week, but are now 0-2 on the season following a 35-7 loss to the Rockets. They will have a bye-week tonight. (Jennifer Gentile photo)

 

 

After press time:
Melrose defeats Swampscott 34-27 (Sept. 27)

 

Published September 20, 2024

Melrose can’t answer to Rockets in 35-7 loss

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—It doesn’t feel like a complete Middlesex League high school football schedule without a pairing between Melrose and Reading high schools.

On Friday, Sept. 13 Melrose kicked off their home opener at Fred Green Field against Reading, a team they had beaten in 2023. But this year Melrose fell to an improved Rocket squad, 35-7, remaining 0-2 on the season while Reading opens at 1-0.

Last year, Reading struggled to find wins and didn’t make playoffs. This year they had a two headed monster in D’Von Burcy and senior quarterback Jack Murphy who combined for over 300 rushing yards, and helped Reading put 21 unanswered points on the board in the second half after Melrose’s first score of the night early in the game.

However, the two teams, now back on a consistent yearly pairing, brought tons of fans to a standing room only crowd at Fred Green Field.

This week, Melrose has a bye-week and they will next play on the road in Swampscott next Friday, Sept. 27.  They return on Oct. 10 to host Woburn.

Melrose looked solid early when they scored in their second drive of the game, spearheaded by Melrose quarterback Jack Feeney (8-for-13, 100 yards) who connected with Max Lanciani and Marco Albanese and then hoofed a first down quarterback keeper that would set up Lanciani (80 rushing yards) with a 37-yard TD run. Melrose took the lead, 7-0. Despite some great tackles from Jack Casey, who was strong all night, and Cian Sullivan, Reading scored on a Jack Murphy keeper to tie things up in the first 7-7.

The rest of the points would be all Reading. The Rockets did, however, fail to capitalize on an interception and would later fumble at the end of the first (recovered by Melrose’s Noah Greer). It wasn’t until the edge of halftime that Reading would score again, on an 11 play drive capped off by a Bursy touchdown to put the Rockets up 14-7.

Reading’s defense was just too strong for Melrose and they allowed less than 100 yards in the second half. Reading junior Karmani Mirville scored on 8-yard touchdown run to give them a 21-7 lead in the third. Bursy would also score again for the eventual 35-7 final.

Melrose’s best opportunity to score late in the game came with a beautiful pass from Feeney to Nick Hitchman that might have set up a Melrose touchdown but a flag on the play took it back.

It’s back to the drawing board for Melrose, who will use this bye-week as a chance to regroup. They will travel to Swampscott on Friday the 27, Stoneham on Oct. 3 and will return home to host Woburn on Oct. 10.