The Final Countdown

Super Bowl preview: Melrose v. Plymouth South

Published December 6, 2019

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—The time has arrived. After nearly sixteen weeks of brutal August heat and icy conditions of November, the Super Bowl is here for the 2019 Melrose Red Raider football team. Undefeated Melrose (11-0) returns to the Div. 4 State Finals just two years after becoming state champs in 2017. They face Div. 4 South Champ Plymouth South (10-2) this Saturday, Dec. 7 at 3:30 p.m. at Gillette stadium. It’s their fourth trip to the Big Dance in 6 years after recent appearances in 2014 and 2015, and their history-making win in 2017. Overall, Melrose has made the trip to Foxboro five times. Plymouth will be playing in its second Super Bowl ever and first since 2013 when they lost to Tewksbury, 42-14.

Because this is not new territory for the Red Raiders (their senior captains were wee sophomores when Melrose won it) they know one thing for certain: the game is incredibly quick and every possession counts. Melrose will plan to break out fast; scoring early and often will be essential. At press time, Melrose’s leading scorer, injured Chris Cusolito, is considered wait and see while recovering from a leg injury. But Melrose comes loaded with weapons on both sides of the ball and will be a tough out for Plymouth South. Worth noting: Melrose starters played on Thanksgiving to victory while Plymouths’ sat to a Turkey Day loss. 

Here’s is a comparative look at the two teams left standing in Div. 4.

Offense: Plymouth boasts a very capable back in senior Nick Siegelman, who topped 1,500 rushing yards and scored 23 touchdowns this season, and they also utilize Cillian Davis and Kevin Paul on the run. Their junior quarterback Hunter Dean is also quite talented, having thrown for 1,470 yards and 15 touchdowns. He’s 6-foot 6-inches and fast, so he will have Melrose’s full attention. But the Red Raiders boast the best running back in the division in Chris Cusolito (who leads in touchdowns) and major rushing weapons in Matt Hickey, Sean Herbert and Billy Pesce. Quarterback Brendan Fennell can also be counted on to break through tackles into the endzone. Even if Cusolito must sit, with Hickey, Herbert, Pesce and Fennell at disposal for a running game, that’s a problem for Plymouth. In terms of throwing, Fennell has had an exceptional year at quarterback, connecting frequently to his favorite targets Brendan Maher, Sean Herbert and Matt Dussault. There is simply no questioning one of the best offenses in the state. Let’s face it: Melrose may have scored 60 points against Wakefield last week (without Cusolito) if they hadn’t put in reserves. Advantage: Melrose. 

Strength of schedule: Plymouth enjoys a healthy schedule in a respected Patriot League and had wins over quality teams like Milton and Scituate this season in their 10-2 campaign. Still, Melrose has been ranked a top 10 team all season, having knocked around Super Bowl contenders Lincoln Sudbury, Marblehead, Stoneham and Revere. Advantage: Melrose. 

Defense: Melrose leads the numbers game, but one cannot rule out the quality of Panther defense, who’ve allowed just an average of 15 points a game, which puts them on a level of teams like Marblehead or Revere, two teams that ultimately couldn’t handle Melrose offense. Red Raider defense is allowing 9.5 points a game which is actually the best in the state. It’s been Sack City this season thanks to Micye Duntin, Mical Duntin, Andrew Norton Johnson, Jared Karelas and Billy Pesce. Also count on Matt Hickey, Sean Herbert and a healthy Cusolito to help stop the run game thanks to their speed. If Plymouth’s quarterback decides to throw, odds are one will be into the arms of Sean Herbert or Charlie Haggerty. Last thought: While the Panthers sat their starters on Thanksgiving, they took a 49-0 beating against Plymouth North. 49-0? 

Final verdict: How hard will it be to beat a team who has outscored opponents 445-105 this season? Very daunting. Only Stoneham came close to threatening Melrose, but ultimately even they couldn’t keep up with the depth and experience the Red Raiders have in all facets of the game. This team is about as high ranked as any MHS team in history. So be prepared for another potential Super Bowl trophy to add to the collection and a police escort home. As for score—on a normal day it could end 45-10 in Melrose’s favor, but our prediction is a narrower score of 28-7 Melrose. Did we mention Super Bowls are quick? 

Plymouth South 2019 Results

League: Patriot (Fisher)

Record: 10-2

Friday, Sept. 6 at Chicopee  L, 17-7

Friday, Sept. 13 at Dighton-Rehoboth W, 14-3

Friday, Sept. 27 Scituate W, 15-9

Friday, Oct. 4 Hanover W, 19-13

Friday, Oct. 11 at Quincy W, 20-0

Friday, Oct. 18 North Quincy W, 41-14

Friday, Oct. 25 at Pembroke W, 54-20

Friday, Nov. 1 Hopkinton W, 42-6

Friday, Nov. 8 Nauset W, 35-14

Friday, Nov. 15 at Milton W, 27-22

Saturday, Nov. 23 at Tantasqua W, 26-14

Thursday, Nov. 28 Plymouth North L, 49-0

Melrose Results 2019 

League: Middlesex (Freedom)

Record: 11-0

Friday, Sept. 13 at Malden W, 46-6

Saturday, Sept. 21 at Lincoln-Sudbury W, 41-7

Friday, Sept. 27 at Wilmington W, 48-14

Friday, Oct. 4 Stoneham W, 28-21

Friday, Oct. 11 at Woburn W, 35-6

Friday, Oct. 18 Burlington W, 49-14

Friday, Oct. 25 Watertown W, 47-0

Friday, Nov. 1 Burlington W, 48-9

Friday, Nov. 8 Marblehead W, 26-14

Friday, Nov. 15 Revere W, 41-7

Thursday, Nov. 28 Wakefield W, 35-7