MELROSE – After an unbeaten begin and staring down a Div. 3 Super Bowl contest subsequent week, most groups might need determined to relaxation their starters and settle for no matter consequence throughout their Thanksgiving Day contest.
But for Wakefield, this was not only a throwaway recreation. It’s a practice steeped in historical past, a rivalry in its truest sense, one which they and their opponent Melrose have been embattled in for over 100 years.
The Warriors confirmed simply how a lot they wished to win Thursday at Melrose High, erasing a 10-point fourth-quarter deficit to remain unbeaten with a 15-12 victory over Melrose within the 109th version of their Thanksgiving Day contest.
Trailing 12-2 to start the second half, the Wakefield protection needed to power two three-and-outs earlier than they may lastly mount a scoring drive.
The Warriors (12-0) would drive 56 yards in 12 performs, capped off by a four-yard TD rush by senior Nathan Delgado (23 rushes, 116 yards), reducing it to 12-9 with 8:02 remaining within the recreation.
Melrose (6-5) would stall on their subsequent drive, giving the ball again to Wakefield with 3:20 remaining.
Wakefield handed the ball seven instances to Delgado, who accumulate 57 yards on the drive, pushing the offense to the Melrose three. Senior quarterback Javin Willis (13/24, 105 yards passing) then punched it residence for a three-yard rating with 24-seconds remaining, making it 15-12.
“Whatever is going to get the job done, throwing the ball, running the ball,” stated Wakefield head coach John Rafferty. “At the end there, hey if you can run the ball baby, run the ball.”
On the ultimate Melrose drive, Willis intercepted Josh Madden as time expired, preserving the victory.
Wakefield resting their starters was by no means a consideration for Rafferty.
“Hell no. Absolutely not,” Rafferty stated. “This is Thanksgiving, this is Melrose-Wakefield. Hell, me, old goat that I am… I spent my senior game right here, same situation. So no.”
This rivalry means all the things to those squads. “It’s monumental,” stated Rafferty. “In our own little football world, it’s monumental.”
Melrose opened the scoring on their first drive on a five-yard landing rush by senior working again Stephen Fogarty (8 rushes, 70 yards), making it 6-0 simply 50 seconds into the second quarter.
Madden would cap a 9 play 69-yard drive with a two-yard rush up the intestine, making it 12-0 with simply 1:40 left earlier than the half.
On the following Warriors drive, Willis tossed an interception into the tip zone, however the defender stepped over the purpose line and again earlier than taking a knee, creating a security and two-points for Wakefield simply 11 seconds earlier than halftime.
Melrose now holds a 63-42-6 file within the 109 video games, however Wakefield has gained the final two.
Source: www.bostonherald.com