15-8 defensive gem has Melrose 4-0
Update post publication:
Melrose falls to Winchester 17-12 (Oct. 6)
MELROSE—Mother Nature couldn’t stop another fine performance by the MHS varsity football team, who remain unbeaten at 4-0 following a narrow 15-8 victory over the visiting Stoneham Spartans at a rainy Fred Green Field on Friday, Sept. 29.
Prior to the start of the game, Melrose held a special remembrance ceremony to honor their lost Red Raider, CJ Allen, a 2020 MHS graduate and Super Bowl champion team member (see accompanying story).
Melrose senior captain quarterback Connor Brophy had another stellar game for Melrose with a 42 yard rushing touchdown and a converted 2 point keeper to help pave way for victory.
It was Melrose defense however, that held off a tough-as-advertised Spartan team, who punched their ticket to the Super Bowl in 2022. Among the standouts were Nick Hitchman, Sam Madden and Jake Skane who helped thwart several Stoneham threats.
The game came down to a 14-play, final drive by Stoneham who threatened to tie things up, down by 7, but was helped by great defensive work from Hitchman, Madden, Andrew Marciano and Sam Noel, breaking up passes and delivering tackles that prevented a Spartan comeback.
In fact, the Spartans were first on board with an opening drive touchdown by Dylan Posey, a 50 yard run that was capped up by a two point conversion from Kevin Gilmartin. Those 8 points would stay on the board however, as Melrose slogged through the next few rain soaked quarters with quality defense.
Melrose scored their first touchdown when Ben Cassavoy recovered a Stoneham fumble on a Melrose punt at the Stoneham 32. From there, runs by Brophy and Keegan Moloney helped set up a Moloney five-yard touchdown. Brophy’s two-point conversion kept things locked at 8-8.
Melrose would break it open in the third with Brophy’s 42-yard touchdown run, giving Melrose a 15-8 lead they wouldn’t lose. Melrose next best attempt of scoring was a blocked field goal that was set up by a terrific pass from Brophy to Nick Hitchman. Nonetheless, Melrose defense took care of the rest in the fourth quarter for victory.
Melrose head coach Tim Morris credited his team for the well-executed win against an always-tough Spartan team.
“They [Stoneham] are well coached and I think both sides of the defense contained the ball well over the night. We knew they’d [Stoneham] would come in and focus on rushing, going for two, etc. I thought our defense played great. We protected the ball well.”
And after four starts, Morris has all the faith in the world in his quarterback Brophy. “Connor has a lot of skill and athleticism, this kind of deceptive speed on the field. He works hard each week and has the confidence to succeed out there.”
Tonight, Melrose travels to Winchester to take on the 3-1 Red and Black squad. Melrose looks to make it five in a row when they kick things off at 6:30 p.m. at Knowlton Field.