Malden Catholic butts heads on a weekly basis with the iron of Eastern Massachusetts football, so its 3-7 record might be deceiving.
The Lancers, as members of the powerful Catholic Conference, get to tangle with Division 1 Super Bowl finalist Xaverian as well as BC High, Catholic Memorial and St. John’s Prep. And four of those seven losses came against those teams.
The Lancers also fell to Masconomet and Tewksbury, both of which won at least one game in the North sectional playoffs (the Redmen won the Division 3 sectional title).
“We have a real young team,” said coach Jeff Smith. “We only have two seniors on defense and four on offense. We have a lot of sophomores who are starting, and you’re going to have growing pains.”
The Lancers were in some of the games they lost.
“The Tewksbury game (a 21-18 loss) came down to the last play,” said Smith. “Then we played Masco tough, and after that, we bounced back against Cambridge.”
After that, came the iron on the Lancer schedule, beginning with St. John’s Prep on homecoming night — the first night game at the new field on the Eagles’ campus.
“That’s a tough schedule,” said Smith. “It doesn’t make things easier.”
But he hopes to end on a high note.
“We beat Beverly and Lawrence, and lost a close one to Westford on a blocked punt.”
Saugus’ Howie Burns leads the Lancers in touchdowns.
“He’s been a real rock-solid force on offense. If we have one or two yards to gain for a first down, he’s the one who’s going to get the ball.”
Geoffrey Ingrando is the Lancers’ all-purpose player.
“He’s lined up everywhere for us,” said Smith. “He’s filled a number of roles for us.”
On defense, junior Marcus Romboli leads the team in sacks and tackles for losses.
“He’s really come a long way on the defensive side of the ball,” Smith said.
This will be the eighth years of the MC-Waltham rivalry, and Smith said it’s developed into a keeper. It includes a pre-game meal the Sunday before Thanksgiving, which helps build camaraderie and continuity, Smith said.
