By CORY THOMAS
READING—There was a big crowd on hand at Reading High School on Friday, Sept. 12 for the match-up of Middlesex League foes, Division 3 Melrose and the host, the Division 2 Reading Rockets, who was kicking off their first game of year.
Melrose was coming off an opening game victory over Peabody was ready to take on an always-strong Reading. But on Friday Melrose fell 36-12 to the Rockets, a team who advanced to State Semifinals last season after going 8-0.
Reading wasted no time, coming out aggressively, led by senior captain quarterback Will Chute. The opening drive for the high powered Reading offense featured three carries from junior tailback Dominic Pate, the last of which he broke free and carried into the end zone for and early Reading lead of 7-0 after the successful point after conversion.
Melrose had running back Rich Harrison out injured for this contest and that led for more opportunities for runners CJ Cinella, Ricky Texieria and Parker Seibel and senior captain, quarterback Jack Feeney. The Melrose offense started slow and that gave the ball back to Reading, who wasted little time in scoring again thanks to a long touchdown from Ryan Pulpi, as Reading built and early 14-0 lead over Melrose.
Trailing early, Melrose got their offense in gear, behind Feeney, and good runs by Nolan Clark and Cian Sullivan. CJ Cinella added another strong Melrose run inside the ten-yard line, down to the 8-yard line. From there, senior Ricky Texieria would punch it into the Rocket end zone to get Melrose on the board, trailing 14-6.
Melrose needed a defensive stand and that is what they got when senior defensive lineman Brian Capodialupo intercepted an attempted Reading screen pass and Melrose took over in Reading territory with momentum on their side. Parker Seibel took a short pass from Jack Feeney and weaved his way though the Reading defense for another touchdown. The score stood at 14-12 with ten minutes to go in the second quarter. Luke Kelley and Jack Casey were strong on defense for Melrose, as were Tyler Garipay, Nate Geer and Max Hoag, all with good tackles for Melrose to try and slow down the high powered Rocket attack.
Reading was able to convert two, 4th down conversions late in the second quarter as they were driving. Dominic Pate scored his second touchdown of the game to increase the Reading lead to 21-12 late in the first half. A strong kick off return by Max Lanciani had Melrose in good position to draw closer to Reading before halftime. After a Feeney pass to Nick Vasallo, Melrose was in business and driving into Reading territory. A good run by Feeney for another first down had Melrose knocking on the door. But Melrose could not convert and the teams went to halftime with the score 21-12 in favor of the host.
Reading got the ball to start the second half and the third quarter once again featured a lot of Reading tailback Dominic Pate, who headed the Rocket running game and broke off another long run to increase the Reading lead to 29-12. CJ Cinella broke off a good run for a Melrose first down in the third quarter, but the Melrose drive stalled and they had to punt. Reading added another big play thanks to the speed of Ryan Pulpi, a long touchdown on a slant pass from Chute to increase the Reading lead to 36-12.
Melrose continued to play hard throughout the game, highlighted by a Parker Seibel 40-yard run to the Reading 8 yard line, but Melrose could not take advantage of that opportunity. Luke Kelley had a couple of nice plays late for Melrose as he forced Chute out of bounds for a sack and then Kelley recovered a Reading fumble, but Rocket defense held strong for a 36-12 victory over Melrose.
Melrose looks to get back in the win column in two weeks as they host the Big Blue of Swampscott on Friday, September 26. This Friday will be a bye week for Melrose.