CANTON – Foxboro head coach Jack Martinelli needed to wait yet one more sport in his forty first 12 months on the helm, however the magnitude was definitely worth the wait and nicely deserved.
The Warriors (6-1, 3-0) didn’t waste any time this week as Martinelli notched his three hundredth profession win in a 35-0 rout over Canton (4-3, 1-2) in a key Hockomock League–Davenport Division matchup earlier than a crowded, pro-Foxboro crowd.
“I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t mindful of winning tonight but I was more mindful that the kids were mindful and I wanted that off their plate,” stated Martinelli, who has been teaching for 55 years, with 41 and counting on the helm in Foxboro. “I was nervous about this. I knew Canton coming into it has been playing pretty darn good and they had a purpose to play, and they have some pretty tough kids.”
Playing for the hundreds of youngsters honored to play for coach Martinelli, Brandon Mazenkas-O’Grady had two blocked punt recoveries for touchdowns and Mike Marcucella (6-of-12 for 153 yards, 2 TDs) tossed lengthy touchdowns of 29 and 82 yards within the first half alone as Foxboro was in management after exchanging punts with the Bulldogs to begin the sport.
Mazenkas-O’Grady didn’t cover his feelings for his head coach nor the enormity of the day for Foxboro.
“He means everything to me. He’s done so much for just me, kids on the team, he’s always there and so humble, unselfish. Words cannot describe what he means to me,” stated Mazenkas-O’Grady. “I was out there trying to do everything for (Martinelli), this game meant a lot to me, especially for what he has done just for me.”
Marcucella related with Ryan Foley on the 82-yarder on a double transfer down the left sideline by the sophomore halfback and Foley added to the 28-point second quarter for the Warriors with a 51-yard scamper via the center of the Bulldogs’ protection with 2:52 left within the first half.
The protection and particular groups of the Warriors had been the celebs with Mazenkas-O’Grady main the way in which with the 2 blocked punt recoveries ultimately zone as Trevor Palmer blocked the primary one with Canton backed up contained in the Foxboro 12.
Mazenkas-O’Grady did all of it on his personal on the second punt block because the senior defensive finish circled again across the bouncing ball and scored from 5 yards out with 1:39 left and the comfy five-touchdown lead on the break.
The Canton gamers congratulated Martinelli after the same old midfield handshake.
“The kids from Canton – they get it. Sometimes you have to play above your head to battle with (Foxboro), but we made our mistakes and didn’t capitalize on a few opportunities,” stated Canton head coach Anthony Fallon, who performed towards Martinelli groups rising up in Canton. “We knew it was going to be a struggle on offense. We gave up one big play, and two big ones on special teams but other than that we fought hard. But that’s why he has 300 wins. Jack has built a great program over there.”
Martinelli is in seventh place all-time in profession wins now and nonetheless appears spry sufficient without end regardless of beginning the journey in Foxboro in 1982.
“All the number means is that I was allowed to do it long enough and the kids take care of the x’s and o’s and the wins and losses – it’s all them,” stated Martinelli. “Brandon has been like that all season for me, though he’s been that way, to be honest, since his freshman year. He just makes plays and I know players run away from him, but he still makes plays on the other side of the field for us. He’s one special kid.”
Source: www.bostonherald.com