Defense makes a stand as Revere beats Winthrop

WINTHROP – Early in the season, Revere’s young defense struggled to prevent its opponents from getting big plays. As the season wore on, the defense got better at coming up with the big stop and at no point was that more evident than in the Patriots 13-7 Thanksgiving day win over Winthrop at Miller Field.View Photo Gallery”With seven sophomores, it’s been a learning curve in the first three weeks,” Revere head coach Lou Cicatelli said. “Since then they have just turned it around and done a tremendous job.”Revere’s defense stopped Winthrop with 1:07 left in the game after a fourth down pass from Winthrop quarterback Vinny Sparacino was dropped by a Winthrop receiver near the sideline around the Revere 10-yard line. Winthrop had gained possession of the ball after Revere turned it over on downs at its own 45-yard line.With 2:37 left in the game, Winthrop had plenty of time and a short distance to travel to score the potential winning touchdown. After a 15-yard run by Winthrop tailback Jordan Corbett-Frank, the Vikings had the ball on Revere’s 21-yard line. The Patriots’ defense proceeded to stuff Winthrop on two runs. On third-and-eight, Sparacino’s pass went over the head of a receiver.Revere’s defense did not allow any second-guessing after Cicatelli’s gamble failed.”They have a very good offense,” said Cicatelli.Revere was able to prevent Winthrop’s offense from dominating the game early unlike the last time these two teams faced each other. In the 30-13 loss earlier in the season, Winthrop ran for 250 yards. On Thanksgiving, Revere held Winthrop to 119 yards on the ground.Winthrop’s first two possessions began on Revere’s side of the field. The Vikings were unable to take advantage of their opportunities.On Winthrop’s initial series, Corbett-Frank returned the opening kickoff to the Revere 42-yard line. The Vikings’ offense drove inside the 10-yard line. There was a mishandled snap on second down that forced Winthrop into a third-and-long situation. Revere’s defense stopped Winthrop on a fourth down run when Ajay Matine tackled Corbett-Frank at the 12-yard line.Revere’s first possession ended in an interception, which was its only turnover in the game. Winthrop had the ball at the Revere 14 and they were looking to get on the scoreboard. A holding penalty on first down put Winthrop in a first-and-20 hole. Revere stuffed the Vikings at the 25-yard line.Kaleb Silva scampered for a 75-yard score on the very next play with 2:11 left in the first quarter to give Revere a 7-0 advantage.In the second half, Revere pinned Winthrop’s offense at its own five. The Patriots’ defense forced a three-and-out. On Revere’s following drive, the Patriots were stopped on fourth down at the Vikings’ 5-yard line. After picking up a first down, Winthrop continued to put itself in long-distance positions on later downs.”I think field position was key for them,” Winthrop coach Sean Driscoll said. “They had the better of the field position and that hurt us, especially going into the wind a lot.”This was a different Revere team than the one that Winthrop handled in the third week of the season. In thier last eight games, the Patriots only allowed more than 30 points on one occasion – a 32-14 defeat to Lynn Classical. Other than that game, Revere allowed about 15 points per game.”They have a huge sophomore class so they could be good for the next couple of years,” Driscoll said.The entire Revere squad turned itself around. Ironically, the improved play on the defensive side began after the loss to Winthrop.