Post publication update:
Melrose defeats Woburn 21-7 (October 3)
Published October 3, 2025
Melrose football has Swampscott singing Big Blues
Improves to 2-1 after convincing 20-6 win
By CORY THOMAS
MELROSE—It was the perfect night for football at Fred Green Memorial Field on Friday, Sept. 26 when the Melrose High varsity football team hosted non-league foe Swampscott, and ran away with a 20-6 win that has them 2-1 on the season as they travel to Woburn this Friday evening.
Additionally, latest MIAA Power Rankings sees Melrose shooting up to the No. 14 spot, within current playoff perimeters.
Melrose defense was tough all night by slowing down Big Blue offense. Melrose capitalized on three touchdowns from Max Hoag, Parker Seibel and Max Lanciani, and the work of Melrose quarterback Jack Feeney, who was strong on the night. After the game Feeney noted that having a bye week allowed for preparation and focus. “I think the bye week after our tough loss to Reading was crucial for us as a team,” he said. “This gave us an extra week to work on ourselves.”
Swampscott opened the night with a drive that was thwarted by Melrose defense, including efforts from Brayden Pesce and Matty Beschel, who each had three tackles on the opening drive helping to force the Swampscott punt.
After a stalled Melrose drive, Swampscott got their offense moving thanks to a nice drive to score the first points of the game on a rushing touchdown. The point after was no good and Swampscott led 6-0 with a minute to go in the first quarter.
On first down from their own 19-yard line, Melrose’s Cian Sullivan took a handoff from Jack Feeney and took off on a long run to the Swampscott 10 for a 72-yard gain to provide a huge spark to the Melrose offense. From there, Melrose got on the scoreboard behind a Max Hoag touchdown. Nate Geer got the successful point after kick and it was 7-6 Melrose before the end of the 2nd quarter.
Brayden Pesce had another strong tackle on the ensuing kickoff to pin Swampscott deep in its own zone as the 1st quarter ended with Melrose ahead by a score of 7-6. Luke Kelley and Jack Casey made strong defensive plays for Melrose, and Tyler Garipay had a key pass breakup to force a Swampscott punt that gave Melrose the ball near midfield where they started their next drive looking to add to their lead.
Quarterback and senior captain Jack Feeney started the drive with a 10-yard run on a keeper. Feeney added another 10-yard run for another first down and soon Parker Seibel added a slick, 12-yard run down to the 18 and Melrose was threatening again.
Feeney talked about their offensive depth at running back. “Having depth at the running back position is crucial. Guys like Max Hoag, CJ Cinella, and Parker Seibel have really been filling in those roles and making an impact.”
Seibel made a big impact on a drive with a pass from Feeney in the backfield and Seibel took it to the house for a 17-yard touchdown, with great blocking ahead of him on a well-designed scoring play. The point-after was no good and Melrose held a 13-6 lead as the teams approached halftime.
Matthew Zarella had a huge tackle for a loss for Melrose to stop a Swampscott drive before halftime to preserve the lead for Melrose, 13-6. Melrose’s CJ Cinella had a nice 9-yard run to get the second half underway and Max Hoag ran for a first down as Melrose was driving again early in the 3rd but they stalled and were forced to punt.
Melrose took over near midfield in the third quarter, when Feeney and Seibel both ran for first downs on the drive and Feeney converted a big 4th down. A Feeney pass to Jack Casey drew a pass interference call deep in Swamp territory as Melrose drove late in the third. But Melrose couldn’t put the game away just yet. Swampscott mounted a drive looking to tie in the fourth but Melrose tightened on defense to stop the Big Blue offense.
Melrose took over in the fourth quarter and drove the ball behind runs by Parker Seibel and Feeney as the fourth quarter continued. CJ Cinella had a nice run inside the Swampscott twenty-yard line as Melrose drove for a game-clinching score. Max Lanciani iced the game with a nice cutting 20 yard run into the right corner of the end zone to make the score 20-6 Melrose with 2:40 to go in the game. It was a score that would remain as Melrose closed out for the win to improve to 2-1 on the year.
After the game Feeney spoke highly of the team’s defense. “Our defense has been dialed in, they play for each other and they play hard. Led by captain Jack Casey our middle linebacker. I thought Ian Mckeown and Graham Kramer did a great job on the defensive line Friday night and Tyler Garipay and Cian Sullivan played strong in the secondary.”
Melrose will look to keep the momentum going when they take on a solid Woburn Tanner team (2-1) on the road this Friday evening, Oct. 3 at 7:00 p.m. for what will be a tough Middlesex test.