Red Raiders prevail in comeback thriller

Another Melrose-Stoneham classic ends, 28-21

Published October 11, 2019

By JENNIFER GENTILE

MELROSE—It was a scene of total jubilation at Fred Green Field in Melrose last Friday night as the Red Raider football team overcame a late-game deficit to defeat rival Stoneham, 28-21 and remain an undefeated 4-0 and on top of the Middlesex League. Melrose scored twice in the last four minutes of the game against an always-tough Spartan team who were coming off last year’s Super Bowl win.

It was a thrilling victory for coach Tim Morris, whose Red Raiders were filmed by Boston’s Fox 25 as their Game of the Week. “I’m just so happy for the kids,” Morris said after the game. “They just kept fighting. It’s what we always talk about. Play four quarters and you will win the game.”

The winning touchdown was scored by senior captain Chris Cusolito, who scored the go-ahead touchdown (his second of the night) with just 53 seconds left. Melrose attempted a two-point conversion that was successfully caught by junior Frank Capaldo in the end zone to give Melrose a safe 28-21 lead. Stoneham got the ball back with just a minute left to score but an interception by Melrose’s Charles Haggerty off Stoneham QB Victor Fernandez closed the door.

Melrose quarterback Brendan Fennell had an excellent night, going 9-15 for 109 yards and 1 touchdown. The Red Raiders scored first with a touchdown run by Cusolito to make it a 7-0 game. But the Spartans played an effective ground game (virtually no passing attempts) and it bled the clock,  making every possession critical for Melrose. Stoneham responded with a touchdown on a QB keeper by Victor Fernandez. He and running back Deshawn Chase were a nuisance for Melrose (combining for over 140 rushing yards) and they managed to penetrate tough Melrose defense on a series of carries that set up that first score to make it 7-7.

Melrose’s Sean Herbert had another standout game and his 50-yard rushing touchdown (from recovering a fumble) gave Melrose a 14-7 lead with 30 seconds left in the first.

With five minutes to halftime, Stoneham’s Chase found the end zone and a 2 point conversion made it a 15-14 game. Melrose was forced to punt on their next possession but took advantage of a fumble recovered by Brendan Maher, who had a terrific game with two critical pass completions over the night. Melrose went scoreless and went into halftime still down 15-14. After the half, Melrose endured a very questionable call with roughing the kicker penalty that rewarded Stoneham first down when they missed the ball punting. What followed was a clock-draining 16-down series led by Chase that resulted in a touchdown for Stoneham and a lead of 21-14 in the fourth.

Melrose received the ball back with 8 minutes left on the clock. They responded in an unflinching manner.

Fennell launched a well-executed drive, connecting with Sean Herbert on a huge first down pass on 4th down. Then he connected with Brendan Maher on 4th and 6, and two plays later, a 6-yard touchdown pass to Maher in the end zone. Looking to tie things up, Melrose’s extra point was blocked and suddenly Melrose was down one 21-20 with four minutes to go.

Red Raider defense came up big on the next series, with solid blocking from Billy Pesce and Mical Duntin that prevented Spartans Seth Russell and Chase from gaining meaningful yards. Melrose took over on downs with two minutes to go.

The two-minute drill went perfectly as Melrose began their drive on the Stoneham 48 and saw a run from Cusolito and pass to Matt Dussault get them upfield. A huge 20-yard pass completion to Sean Herbert and a “we’ll take it” face mask penalty against the Spartans set up a 3 yard TD run by Cusolito. Melrose went for two, caught by Frank Capaldo, for a 28-21 score. Haggerty’s interception was icing on the cake and Melrose lapped up the victory, enjoying sport reel moments on Boston television.

The Melrose Stoneham rivalry once again didn’t fail and tonight, Melrose will hit the road to Woburn to play the 2-2 Tanners for the first time in several years. An old rivalry resumed. Melrose will host Burlington on Oct. 18.

Diving 4 North

Power Rankings

1. Melrose (4-0)

2. Marblehead (4-0)

3. Revere (4-0)

4. North Reading (5-0)

5. Wayland (3-1)

6. Burlington (3-1)

7. Dracut (3-1)

8. Wakefield (2-2)

Middlesex Freedom League

Standings

Melrose 2-0, 4-0

Burlington 1-1, 3-1

Stoneham 1-1, 2-2

Wakefield 1-1, 2-2

Wilmington 1-1, 1-3

Watertown 0-2, 2-2