THE SENIORS were honored before the Wakefield football team’s 28-12 win over Wilmington on Friday night at Landrigan Field. Pictured in the front row from left to right are captains Cade Esposito, John Fitzgerald and Matthew Beaver. In the back row from left is Luke Dixon, Ryan Fowler, Zach Courtright, Jackson Fitzpatrick, Ian Christie and Calvin Bryant. (Coutesy Photo)
By DAN PAWLOWSKI
WAKEFIELD — The Wakefield High football team honored their nine seniors before taking care of business against a winless Wilmington High, 28-12 on Friday night at Landrigan Field.
The Warriors improved to 3-4 with the victory, their second in a row after shutting out Watertown 30-0 on Oct. 18. Wakefield moved up to No. 23 in the Div. 4 power rankings after beating the Wildcats. Although a finish in the top 16 to qualify for the state tournament is still a long shot, the Warriors would certainly put themselves in the conversation if they can beat undefeated Stoneham this week. The 7-0 Spartans, ranked No. 2 in Div. 6, visit Landrigan in the regular season finale on Friday night at 6 p.m.
“It would be a remarkable moment, that’s for sure,” said head coach John Rafferty about what a win over Stoneham would mean for the program. “It would obviously be extremely difficult; Stoneham is a great team. But I think we’ll be up for the challenge.”
The Warriors will certainly have plenty of momentum after outscoring their last two opponents 58-12.
Wakefield racked up 431 yards and 4 TD’s against Wilmington.
Sophomore RB Jaden Fullerton led the charge with 274 rushing yards and 2 TD’s on 31 carries for an average of 8.8 yards per carry.
Sophomore QB Westin McNeilly (11-for-18, 133 yards, 2TD, 2INT) wasn’t perfect, but he kept the Wildcat defense off-balance by spreading the ball to six different receivers and connecting on two long TD passes in the 2nd quarter, first from 34 yards out to junior Will Forbes and then on a 33-yard connection with junior Tommy DeFeo which gave the home team a commanding 21-6 lead at the break.
Wakefield didn’t need to mess around with any goal-to-go situations in this one as both of Fullerton’s scores came on long plays as well. His 27-yard TD run opened the scoring and his 24-yard TD run in the 3rd quarter closed it.
Wakefield’s defense, although not as dominant as the week before, tamed the Wildcats enough to let the Warrior offense go win this one. Wakefield forced two three-and-out’s and had two fumble recoveries in the first half. In the second half, they turned Wilmington over on downs twice and finished the game off with an interception by senior captain John Fitzgerald.
“They played well,” said Rafferty of his team. “We gave up a couple touchdowns and missed some tackles, but overall, it was a really good job. Fullerton had another great night, McNeilly was connecting well with multiple receivers and the line did enough up front. Defensively, we rallied to the ball and everyone was ready to play. Overall, it was a great team effort.”
The defense got McNeilly the ball back after he threw an interception on Wakefield’s first drive. Senior Zach Courtright recovered a fumble that was mishandled at the snap, giving the ball back to Wakefield on their own 34.
Fullerton took it from there, rushing the entire 66 yards on just four carries, his final one finding pay dirt after a perfect jump cut up the middle. Senior captain Cade Esposito, sophomore Bronco Jones and senior Jackson Fitzpatrick sealed the edge while freshman Joe Shea pulled to lead block, creating the space for Fullerton to do his thing.
Wakefield forced another turnover on Wilmington’s second drive. After a sack by senior captain Matthew Beaver made it 3rd-and-26, DeFeo punched the ball out three steps after a reception on a slant and Fullerton recovered.
McNeilly had some bad luck on the next Warrior possession, as a pass attempt was tipped at the line and picked off at the Wilmington 12.
The Wildcats capitalized on the momentum, driving 87 yards for a touchdown as Gus Lambert found the middle of the field for a 58-yard TD run. A two-point attempt was stuffed by Wakefield.
McNeilly got his revenge soon after, linking up with Forbes down the right sideline to reclaim the lead for the good.
After the defense forced a three-and-out, Wakefield went back to Fullerton who gained 42 yards to bring the ball to the Wildcat 33, where McNeilly found DeFeo for a 21-6 lead after junior Carter Jefferson’s third of four successful PAT’s. DeFeo’s button hook was timed perfectly by McNeilly and DeFeo made a nasty juke outside to beat his man and sprint in for the three-score lead.
A steady dose of Fullerton helped run the clock out in the second half and his 24-yard TD run in the 3rd was similar to his first with the line doing a nice job of opening space.
In the end, it was a great way to celebrate a senior group that has proven to be plenty resilient this season.
“They’ve really rallied the last couple of weeks,” said Rafferty of the seniors. “They’ve been versatile. Whatever we’ve needed with injuries and adjustments, they’ve been willing to step up and do whatever the team needs. That says a lot about them.”
