Take on experienced Red Devils squad tomorrow night at Varsity Field

Published in the October 15, 2015 edition.

By JIM SOUTHMAYD

BURLINGTON — The Wakefield Memorial High football team played Burlington twice a year ago and that has provided the Warrior coaching staff with quite a scouting report.

Even though it is a year later, the Red Devils, minus a few players, are pretty much the same club they were a year ago in terms of personnel.

Wakefield and Burlington face each other in a Middlesex League Freedom division matchup tomorrow night at 7 p.m. at Varsity Field in Burlington.

The Warriors earned their first win of the year last week and are 1-4 overall on the season and 1-2 in the league.

Burlington, meanwhile, pulled out an exciting win over Watertown and is 3-2 overall and 2-1 in the division.

“Everyone is back for Burlington with the exception of their middle linebacker who transferred to a private school,” said Head Coach Steve Cummings. “They have all their players back on offense and they have a ton of experience. They were very young last year.”

The Red Devils lost to a pair of undefeated teams, Billerica and Melrose, and pulled out a 21-17 victory over Watertown last Friday night.

“They have a lot of experience with what they do with their personnel and formations. We will have our work cut out for us,” said Cummings.

Burlington is led by senior RB Chenet Guerrier and junior QB Dylan Bonfilio. Both were starters last fall and both were highly skilled players a year ago. They are bigger and faster this fall.

“Burlington was in every game last year. They were very young,” said Cummings. “Even though they were 2-5 going in the playoffs, they were tied with Concord-Carlisle (the top seed) 0-0 at halftime a year ago. They were in every game last year. This year they have put it together with their experience. They are capable of big drives and they are jelling right now. They are very dangerous.”

Cummings feels that tomorrow’s game will have a playoff type feeling as both teams are trying to solidify their postseason berths and seeding in the Div. 3 Northwest playoffs. Burlington pretty much is already assured a spot while a Warrior win will almost certainly give Wakefield enough points to get in as well.

“This will be like a playoff game. These are the games we want to be in,” said Cummings. “We have a lot on the line. If we get a win, we should be in the playoffs and can get a pretty good seed.”

While Wakefield broke into the win column last Friday night, Cummings feels that his team can play much better, particularly on offense.

“Offensively we need to play better. We still haven’t scored any points in the first half,” said Cummings. “Last week the weather was a factor. We didn’t turn the ball over but we need to be more consistent. We also need to stay from giving up the big plays on defense. They also have skilled players in the return game.

“Stoneham runs a power game, while Burlington will try to use their athleticism to win. They have a smaller line that is quick off the ball and gets to where they need to be,” continued Cummings. “They also run the no huddle offense. We can’t be too satisfied with the Stoneham win. Burlington is quality team and they have a ton of experience. We still have work we need to do.”

The Warriors are also getting a little healthier. Senior WR/DB Tighe Beck has been practicing after missing two games with a concussion and should be ready to go this week. Also senior QB Ned Buckley should return to the offense after playing on defense in a limited role last week against Stoneham. Senior lineman Mike Hakioglu has been out of school all week due to illness and he is unlikely to play this week.

“It will be huge to have those guys back after they missed the past two weeks,” said Cummings. “Alex McKenna and Joe Marinaccio are two players that really stepped up the past couple of weeks. That will make us better.”

It is also the the third straight road game for the Warriors. Having a 2-1 record before heading home for the regular season finale against Winchester would be a big boost and give the Warriors some momentum headed into the postseason.