Revere’s players have their work cut out for them at Miller Field

It’s bad enough going into your last football game of the season having dropped your last four contests, all on the road, and all of them against your Northeastern Conference Large foes (and with three of them battling it out among themselves for the conference title).Factor into the equation that you finish your season-ending five-game road trip at a field that’s a literal house of horrors for any opposing club.That’s what will happen to the Revere football squad on Turkey Day, as the Patriots travel to Miller Field to take on Winthrop, hoping to beat the Vikings since the ’80s. Winthrop has been the reverse of Revere this year, concluding their season with a four-game homestand. Miller Field has been the bane for many a Viking foe, and though Winthrop dropped its first two games of the homestretch, the Vikings did vanquish co-top-seed Marblehead less than two weeks ago. Revere coach Lou Cicatelli knows how tough his club’s task is.”It’s just such a tough place to play,” said Cicatelli, who finishes his seventh season as head Pat. “This is such a great rivalry, and you can certainly throw the records out the window.”The Patriots’ last win came, appropriately enough, in their last home game in mid-October, with a 27-25 win over Peabody. Revere had dropped its previous two contests against Swampscott and Marblehead, respectively, despite holding halftime leads over both squads.”That win (over Peabody) was the reverse of those other two games,” Cicatelli said. “We had to come from behind to beat Peabody and played four quarters, while in the other two, we committed turnovers in the second half. We made the big plays against Peabody, while we were like a different team in the second half against Swampscott and Marblehead. We shot ourselves in the foot (against Swampscott and Marblehead), and have to find a way to close games.”The Patriots (1-4, 2-8) have been decimated by injury, having lost three defensive starters early in the year. As a result, Revere has had to use several sophomores in its starting lineup, and with solid success.”We’re very much a young team, a work in progress,” Cicatelli mentioned. “One of our goals was to get better week after week, and though there’ve been hard times, I’ve seen progress as well. It’s a learning experience for everyone, and we’re definitely getting better.”The squad is captained by seniors Chris Andreani (TE/LB) and Will Weathers (T/LB/P). “They’ve provided good leadership, and they’ve kept the team together,” said the coach. “Chris had a 60-yard screen pass (for a touchdown) against Gloucester, and both of them are among our leading tacklers. Will is our leading blocker (on) the run.”Junior Trea Weathers (HB/DB/LB), Will’s younger brother, has compiled over 1100 yards on the ground along with 10 TDs. One of those scores was an 85-yard scamper late in the first half against Marblehead.”He’s been a real monster for us,” Cicatelli stated. “Trea has good power, along with good open-field speed, and has also been great on defense for us.”Quarterback Paul Norton, also a junior, has turned in a solid performance as well, including a 15-for-19 game (good for 253 yards) against Swampscott.”He went through some growing pains last year (as a sophomore),” Cicatelli added. “He’s looked good as well this season.”Among the sophomores that have played substantial roles for Revere are Robert Sasso (OT/DT), Mike Ferrante (C/DT), Frank Melito (RB/LB, and Drew Lauria (WR/DB).”Robert is a tough player, while Mike’s been so reliable,” said Cicatelli. “Frank’s been a pleasant addition, while Drew is very smart.”While Winthrop has a losing record (4-6), Cicatelli knows that his squad is in for a battle on Thursday. “We lost to them in a close game last year (21-7, with the Vikings scoring a late touchdown), and they’re always a tough club,” said Cicatelli. “Like us, they’ve been hit by injuries. Our kids have always been upbeat this season, and this game is our Super Bowl. We’re really pumped up for the game.”