Take on Tanners for the first time since ’13 playoffs
SENIOR QB Ned Buckley (#10) gets ready to hand off the ball to senior RB Paul McGunigle (#42) as senior RB Zack Kane (#33) gets ready to be the lead blocker on the play. The Warriors take on Woburn tonight at Connolly Stadium hoping to earn their second straight win. (Donna Larsson File Photo)
Published in the November 13, 2015 edition.
By JIM SOUTHMAYD
WOBURN — The one good thing about playing in the Div. 3 Northwest sectional playoffs or in the consolation games is that it gives the Wakefield Memorial High football a chance to face a Middlesex League Liberty division rival that it doesn’t face too often anymore in the regular season since the new playoff format was instituted in 2013.
The Warriors will renew their rivalry with an old M.L. rival when it takes on Woburn tonight at 7 p.m. at Connolly Stadium at Woburn High School.
Wakefield enters the game with a 3-6 record having defeated another M.L. Liberty division foe, Arlington, last Friday night at Landrigan Field.
Woburn, meanwhile, is 3-6 as well and also prevailed last week by a 35-6 score over Wilmington in a consolation game at Connolly Stadium. The Tanners also gave long time head coach Rocky Nelson his 200th career win last Friday night.
“It is great to be able to renew this old school Middlesex rivalry. Woburn and Wakefield have been involved in some big games over the past couple of decades, so it is nice to get them on the schedule,” said Coach Steve Cummings. “Coach Nelson is a legendary figure in the history of the Middlesex League, having coached some of the best teams and best players this league has ever seen. He just recorded his 200th win last week, so to be able to coach against a man of that caliber is a special opportunity for me and this program.”
The Warriors and Tanners haven’t faced each other since the ‘13 playoffs when Woburn prevailed by a 21-7 in a Div. 3 Northwest quarterfinal contest played at Landrigan Field with two late fourth quarter touchdowns that broke a 7-7 tie. The two M.L. rivals didn’t play each other a year ago.
Woburn is led by senior RB Brandon Moscat who scored four touchdowns last week against the Wildcats. Moscat scored on a 85 yard kickoff return, an 18 yard run, a 28 yard pass and a 25 yard yard run. Moscat lines up just about everywhere for the Tanners and has even played some quarterback when Woburn goes with its “Wildcat” formation.
Senior Tim Concannon was the starting quarterback although he has been injured which has resulted in freshman Ryan Qualey lining up under center.
“The person on their offense that we need to find is #20 (Moscat). He is a great kick returner, running back, receiver and he lines up at quarterback at times as well. He was huge in their game against Melrose when they almost pulled the upset,” said Cummings. “They have a freshman quarterback, #9 (Qualey), that has a lot of poise in the pocket for a young player. I had the opportunity to coach a clinic this summer with their staff and some of their players. Number 52 (Justin McRae) is as good a lineman you are going to find in this league. (He is) Big, physical, (has) great hand work, (and is) everything you want in a high school lineman.”
The Tanners snapped a four game losing streak last week against Wilmington. During their losing streak, Woburn had a pair of heartbreaking losses to Arlington (34-33) and Melrose (26-23). Those are the only other two common opponents that both Woburn and the Warriors have played. Wakefield beat Arlington last week by a 30-7 score, but was blanked by Melrose 21-0 in its playoff game two weeks ago.
Wakefield has run the ball well in its two victories over M.L. Liberty division opponents Winchester and Arlington. Both contests were also played at Landrigan Field.
In Wakefield’s only road win, it got its running game going in the fourth quarter and played a terrific defensive game to edge Stoneham by a 7-6 score. The Spartans are still in the Div. 4 North playoffs and are hosting M.L. Freedom division rival Watertown tonight at 7 p.m. at Stoneham High School.
“In order to be successful Friday night, we need to get out to a fast start like we did last week,” said Cummings. “We need to take care of the football and take advantage of field position and mistakes. I know Woburn is 3-6 like us but they are a very talented, very skilled football team. We are looking forward to the chance to square up with them.”
