Medford gridders handle Bishop Fenwick

PEABODY – According to Fenwick football coach Dave Woods, “Even if we had played our best (against Medford), I don’t think we could’ve beaten them.”The Mustangs notched 204 yards on the ground in the first half, marching to a 35-14 crunching of the Crusaders last night at Donaldson Field to stay unbeaten (2-0). The loss drops Fenwick to 1-2.Fenwick had just tied the game at 6 courtesy of a nine-yard run by back Alex Crecco (20-115) late in the opening quarter. Medford took advantage of solid field position right after the kickoff, beginning at its 48. Halfback Phil Chery broke free of Fenwick defenders for 46 yards to the Crusaders 6, and teammate Michael Sullivan gave Medford the lead for good on the next play with his six-yard run late in the period.Fenwick lost yardage due to penalties on its next possession midway through the second quarter, and Medford didn;t waste any time in adding to its lead. Sullivan brought the team into Fenwick territory with a 12-yard gain to the 48, then back Giovani Sanders broke through the Crusaders line, cutting with weaves before being brought down to the 1. Sanders increased the lead to 18-6 on the following play, with Chery adding the two-point rush.The Crusaders fumbled the ball away on the third play of their drive, and the Mustangs again marched downfield, scoring right before the end of the half. Sanders converted a third-and-five with a six-yard burst to the Mustangs 49. Back Patrick Berry sped for a 14-yard burst to the Crusaders 27, then Chery scampered into the end two plays later for a 28-6 Medford halftime edge.”Medford’s a very well coached team, and very physical,” said Woods. “They’re very big, and we didn’t tackle well.”The Mustangs improved the lead to 35-6 when Sullivan contributed a 28-yard score. The Crusaders came back to reduce the deficit to 35-14 early in the final quarter. Quarterback Brett Kidik, who replaced starter Chris Renzulli due to a popped shoulder, connected on consecutive passes to receiver Joe Bona (7-76) to spot the ball at Medford’s 11. The two hooked up again on a one-yard score. Crecco’s two-point run closed the scoring.”Brett played a great game coming off the bench,” said Woods of Kidik’s relief appearance. “Alex (Crecco) ran well, and we showed a lot of character.”The Mustangs scored right off the bat, marching downfield on a 12-play, 57-yard drive. The team converted a fourth-and-1 from the Fenwick 37, when quarterback Alex Krasco ran to the 34. Barry put Medford on the board with a one-yarder less than five minutes in.Fenwick caused a turnover midway through the period when Krasco fumbled the snap from center. The Crusaders recovered at their 47, with the drive culminating in Crecco’s nine-yard run.