MELROSE- In a massive Middlesex League showdown, Stoneham snagged a 12-7 victory over hosting Melrose on Halloween night.
The Spartans (6-2) utilized a run-based T formation offense in the low-scoring victory while managing to limit a Red Hawks (5-3) offense that has scored at least 20 points in six of its previous seven games.
Stoneham head coach Bob Almeida said strong play on defense and overall efficient play on offense led to the victory.
“For the most part I was proud of our offense,” Almeida said. “We kept driving the ball over and over, and then we’d have these untimely penalties. Holding here, false start there, almost cost us many times. But once again, our defense came up big and came to play. That’s a really good football team and a well-coached team with a great quarterback. I’m proud of our guys.”
The first half was nearly finished scoreless until Stoneham sophomore running back Dan Staffieri plunged into the end zone from one yard away with 25 seconds to play in the second quarter. The two-point conversion was missed, which gave the Spartans just a 6-0 edge at halftime.
Melrose (5-3) started the second half hot when senior QB Jack Feeny hit senior receiver Max
Lanciani in stride for a 65-yard touchdown pass on the fourth play of the third quarter. Stoneham responded right away by churning out a 15-play drive with Staffieri finding the end zone once again, this time from six yards out. The two-point conversion was missed again to keep the score at 12-7 with 1:20 left in the third quarter.
Both teams punted on their following drives. Melrose would commit a turnover on downs to
give Stoneham the ball back, looking to drain the clock and ice the game away.
The Spartans
were able to get a few first downs but ultimately gave the ball back to Melrose on their own 14
down 5 points with 2:35 to go. The Red Hawks were able to get down to the Spartan 32 with 11 seconds to go. But their last two plays of the game were a false start and a holding call, which ran out the clock for Stoneham to hold on.
“Our O line is a very experienced and good group. Four of the five guys are three-year
starters, only our center is new. They were a massive reason why we won. Going forward we’re gonna have to clean up some things. We’re really battle-hardened. The Middlesex League is a really tough league and we’re the smallest school in it. So it definitely helps prepare us for the playoffs,” added Almeida.
Both teams will head into the playoffs starting next week. Stoneham will compete in the
Division 6 bracket, while Melrose will compete in Div. 3.
