Revere stuns English after losing big lead

REVERE – The Revere football team was breathing a collective sigh of relief as the final seconds ticked away in Thursday night’s game. After losing a 28-7 lead, the Patriots won on a 19-yard field goal from kicker Jeff Simbert to defeat English (4-3, 0-1), 31-29.On a seasonably cool October night at Harry Della Russo Stadium, Revere traveled 55 yards to the Bulldogs’ 2-yard line on their final possession following several connections between senior quarterback Joe Ritchie and his receivers. They were able to complete a fourth-and-12 play on the Bulldogs’ 31. Ritchie threw a 26-yard pass to junior wide receiver Steven Piazza.”We ran a whole pattern,” said Revere head coach Lou Ciccatelli. “Steven went right behind the cornerback.”English came back by finding breakdowns in Revere’s coverage and made big plays that they could not complete earlier in the contest. After Ritchie found the end zone on a four-yard scamper, English had three touchdowns on passes from sophomore quarterback Lucas Harris, who replaced starter D.J. Mullen (one touchdown pass).”We had plenty of time left,” said Lynn English head coach Peter Holey. “We went to a quick spread offense.”Revere’s senior running back Tommy Portrait (140 yards) scored two touchdowns, including a 59-yarder on the second play of the game. Ritchie had the other two touchdown runs to build Revere’s advantage.In the fourth quarter, English got its first score on a 75-yard pass from Harris to Chris Lessard. The extra point attempt was blocked. Harris picked off a pass and returned the ball to the Revere 49 on the next possession. Kyle O’Connor caught a 49-yard pass from Harris on the following play with 7:55 left in the game. The Bulldogs recorded the 2-point conversion on a pass from Harris to Cam Haggarty to bring the deficit down to one possession at 28-21.O’Connor added a 34-yard catch by outrunning defenders before he was tackled onto the left pylon in the end zone. English took the 29-28 advantage with 5:25 left when junior running back Isaiah Davis jumped over a Revere defender.There was enough time left on the clock and the Patriots were able to make the big plays when it counted.Even after Revere went ahead of English, the Bulldogs had a last-gasp effort to try to win. They were unable to get any further than the Revere 35 before the clock expired.English also missed a key field goal in the first half. Revere’s defense swallowed up English on a couple of occasions when English took the ball into Revere territory.”I tip my cap off to Coach Cicatelli and his staff,” said Holey.Despite missing six starters, Revere was able to capture their second consecutive victory in the Northeastern Conference/Cape Ann League Tier 1 league.”This is the biggest win since I’ve been coaching Revere,” said Cicatelli. “We played our tails off.”