MARBLEHEAD — The Magicians football team got two rushing touchdowns and a scoring pass from quarterback Andy Clough on Friday night, while the defense came up big as well, sacking Wakefield quarterback Mike Lucey nine times, leading the way to a 28-14 win in the opening round of the Division 4 North playoffs.
Senior linebacker Tyrese Hardy had a sack and blocked a PAT for the winners, and he said his team did a great job preparing for Wakefield this week.
“We worked hard all week, and we concentrated on their big players, and we focused on the plays that they run,” Hardy said. “It was great to come out with a win at home to start the playoffs.”
No. 2 Marblehead (8-0) had one possession in the first quarter, but they made it count to take the lead. On fourth and one from the Wakefield 17, Clough tucked the ball in and ran it in with 2:29 remaining. Phelan Tinti-Kane banged in the first of his four PAT’s to make it 7-0.
No. 7 Wakefield’s Bobby Young scored from the five in the second quarter, but Hardy’s block kept Marblehead ahead.
Any momentum the Warriors hoped to get by scoring was wiped away when Derek Marino took the kickoff 33 yards to the Wakefield 47. Four plays later, Tim Cronin, who also had three sacks, busted in from the six to make 14-6.
Cronin said it was preparation that was key on Friday night for Marblehead.
“On the field and in the film room, we were studying their plays. When they came out passing, we had to adjust but we were able to,” Cronin said. “We weren’t going to let that game slip away.”
Clough hit Marino from 44 yards out to make it 21-6 in the third. Wakefield responded with a dive across the left pylon by Danny Marinaccio with 13 seconds left in the quarter. Lucey hit Marinaccio for two and it was 21-14 with 11 minutes remaining.
Wakefield’s Brendan Coughlin picked off a pass at the Wakefield 41, and it looked like the Warriors were in business. That’s when the sack parade began. Lucey was sacked on four straight offensive plays, by Cronin, two by Will Bosworth and a tag-team by Obinna Okereke and Aidan Michaud.
Facing a fourth and 15 from the Marblehead from the Marblehead 21, Lucey’s pass fell short and the Magicians took over with 6:19 left. Clough scored his second of the game from 55 yards out to clinch it.
Marblehead coach Jim Rudloff said it was a solid game by the offense and the defense.
“I thought we did a nice job, they’re a tough team and we were able to put pressure on them, and come up with a couple of big plays,” Rudloff said.
Wakefield coach Steven Cummings said his team had a couple of chances, but couldn’t get a score when they desperately needed one.
“There’s a reason why they (Marblehead) are one of the best teams in the area, that defense is solid,” Cummings said. “My guys played hard the entire game, that is a very good football team over there.”
The Magicians will host No. 3 Wilmington next Friday night, as the Wildcats ripped Gloucester, 30-0, in their opening game.
