WAKEFIELD — The Wakefield High 2025 football season kicks off tomorrow night, 6 p.m. at Landrigan Field as the Warriors will host Greater Lawrence Tech.
Week 1 opponents every season since 2019, the Reggies broke Wakefield’s three-year winning streak last season, 29-22, after returning a late fumble 95-yards for the game-winning touchdown just as Wakefield was driving for the final score. Greater Lawrence finished at 3-7 last year.
That loss started a tough, early-season stretch for Wakefield as they went 1-4 in their first five games.
The Warriors turned their season around on Oct. 18, a 30-0 shutout over Watertown starting a winning streak. The Warriors went on to win six in a row including a thrilling, 31-28 victory over Stoneham and a 20-14 win over Melrose on Thanksgiving, the fourth win in a row for Wakefield on Turkey Day.
Wakefield finished 7-4 overall, splitting the Freedom Division title with Stoneham and Burlington as all teams went 4-1 in league play.
The schedule is identical to last season, so like it was in 2024, Wakefield’s playoff hopes will likely come down to their non-league performances. After Greater Lawrence, the Warriors have a bye week before traveling to Lynnfield on Sept. 19. Wakefield fell to a strong Lynnfield team 34-13 last year but bounced back with a 32-21 win over Beverly. Wakefield travels to Beverly on Sept. 26. Winchester represents the final non-league game. The Red and Black beat the Warriors 34-9 last year.
Wakefield graduated three of their four All-Stars from last season: stalwart defensive ends/tight ends Matthew Beaver and Jackson Fitzpatrick along with WR/DB John Fitzgerald.
The lone returning All-Star is senior linebacker/tight end Christian DiFlorio.
The Warriors return plenty of talent however, starting with junior RB/LB Jaden Fullerton who led Wakefield on Thanksgiving by rushing for an incredible 204 yards and 2 TD’s. He finished the year with 1,131 rushing yards and 19 TD’s.
Fullerton, DiFlorio and senior lineman Luciano Rossetti will set the tone for a defense that was dominant during the six-game winning streak to close the season, a stretch that included two shutouts and just 10 points against per game.
Offensively, the Warriors return junior starting QB Westin McNeilly who threw for 1,326 yards and 12 TD’s as a sophomore last year.
Also back is senior Myles Sanchez who missed most of last season with an injury after a terrific sophomore campaign. He’ll team up with Fullerton to provide one of the best 1-2 punches at running back in the Middlesex League this year. Sanchez will also be a key returner on defense as a versatile linebacker/defensive back.
At receiver, Wakefield will return senior Will Forbes, Wakefield’s receiving leader last year with 450 yards and 3 TD’s.
The Warriors should be set up well in the trenches too. They bring back four of their starting five offensive linemen including juniors Brandon Meahl, Damien Hunt and Bronco Jones along with sophomore center Joe Shea.
Wakefield will be aligned in Div. 4 for 2025. They are looking to return to the state tournament for the first time since 2022 when they completed a perfect season with a Div. 3 Super Bowl title.
2025 Wakefield Football Schedule
Friday, Sept. 5: vs. Greater Lawrence, 6 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 19: at Lynnfield, 6 p.m.
Friday, Sept. 26: at Beverly, 6 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 3: vs. Winchester, 6 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 10: vs. Watertown, 6 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 17: at Wilmington, 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 24: at Stoneham, 6:30 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 31: at Burlington, 6 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 27: vs. Melrose, 10 a.m.