Melrose to finish season at Fenway Park for Thanksgiving
By CORY THOMAS
BOXFORD—The Melrose High varsity football team’s playoff run came to an end on Friday, November 7, as the 11th ranked team traveled to Boxford to take on the high-powered 6th ranked Masconomet Regional Chieftains in a first round Division 3 playoff game. Both teams put on a show for their fans, with Masco taking this one, 35-14 over Melrose in a game that was much closer than the final score indicates.
Melrose finishes their season with a winning record of 5-4 and a chance to retain their Thanksgiving trophy from Wakefield on Tuesday, Nov. 25 when Melrose will face the Warriors in the 2025 Thanksgiving Classic at Fenway Park.
“We had some opportunities, and were right in there in the 4th quarter,” says Melrose head coach Tim Morris after the game, “But Masco was a good team with a very good running back, receiver and quarterback. When we had our big runs, penalties cost us.”
It was expected to be a big night for Masco running back Jack Fabiano, and sure enough he scored five touchdowns for the Chieftains, including an early one that gave the Masco a 6-0 lead on their first possession after a sixty yard touchdown run. Melrose needed an immediate answer and got it from a pair of their senior leaders. Quarterback Jack Feeney threw a strong pass on the right side of the field to fellow senior and wide receiver Tyler Garipay who caught the ball and took off into the Masco end zone for an electrifying play, good for a sixty-yard touchdown throw and catch. Junior Nate Geer added the successful point after kick and Melrose had an early 7-6 lead.
However, it was short lived, as Masco’s Fabiano took off on another long touchdown run to give Masco the lead right back, as the score moved to 14-7 after a successful two-point conversion seven minutes into the game. Melrose embarked on a ball control drive to attempt to keep the ball from Masco’s offense. Jack Feeney ran effectively for first downs and sophomore Max Hoag added a slick twenty-five-yard run as the drive continued and the clock ticked down in the first quarter. Feeney added a short pass to Tyler Garipay, setting up a third down for Melrose, which sophomore C.J. Cinella converted, as the first quarter ended with Melrose on the Masco fourteen-yard line looking to tie the score. Unfortunately, the Melrose drive stalled in the red zone and Masco took over on downs at their own twelve-yard line.
Masco’s offense gained yardage in big chunks, forcing Melrose’s defense to attempt to slow down offense and they did with a big play from junior defensive back Nate Geer, who intercepted the ball for a huge Melrose take away, to the delight of the many Melrose fans in the stands in Boxford. Jack Feeney added a passing first down to senior Max Lanciani and Melrose was driving into Masco’s side of the field. Melrose would eventually have to punt with five minutes remaining in the first half. Masco then drove into Melrose territory into the red zone. On a third down and goal Melrose senior Brayden Pesce made a big defensive play, tackling Masco for a loss and forcing a field goal attempt with twenty seconds left in the first half. The kick was no good and the game went to halftime with Melrose trailing 14-7, and it was very much anyone’s ball game at the half.
Melrose opened the third with possession but their drive was short lived and Tyler Garipay had to punt. Melrose tried to force Masco to go three and out and came close behind the work of senior Jack Casey and junior Luke Kelley, who combined for a big tackle for a loss, but Masco converted on fourth and continued to drive into Melrose territory. Casey and Kelley would combine again on a big tackle for a loss to slow Masco down. But the Chieftains drove forward behind the work of Fabiano and crew. Masco added their third touchdown of the game with 1:22 remaining in the third quarter as they increased their lead to 21-7. Melrose needed a score to stay in the game.
They began a crucial drive from their own twenty-yard line. Feeney quickly gained fifteen on a QB keeper, Max Lanciani added a nice fifteen-yard run of his own and Melrose was soon at midfield as the third quarter ended. Melrose faced a fourth down and eight situation and Feeney found Tyler Garipay for a key completion and first down to Masco’s forty-yard line. Jack Feeney added a ten-yard run to the Masco thirty with 10:20 remaining. Feeney would run for another first down to the Masco twenty. Then Feeney dropped back and saw Garipay streaking towards the post in the middle of the field. Feeney hit Garipay in stride in the back of the end zone for the Melrose touchdown. Nate Geer added the PAT and the score was Masco 21 Melrose 14 with eight and a half minutes remaining in the game.
Melrose battled and kept the game close into the fourth quarter, but Masco proved to be too strong as they added two late touchdowns behind Jack Fabiano, who had five touchdowns over the night.
“We had a lot of guys playing both sides of the ball this season and that can wear you out a bit,” says coach Morris after the game. “We also lost a couple quality players to injury like Parker Seibold and Richie Harrison earlier in the season. And [Masco] ran for almost 300 yards tonight, so you’re up against that.”
Masconomet moves on in the state playoffs to face Milton, who beat Reading last week. Melrose will rest up before their annual classic against border rival Wakefield, this year to be played at historic Fenway Park on Tuesday, November 25.