REVERE — So far, so good for the Revere football team.
Through the first two weeks of the regular season, the Patriots have played up to their expectations in dominant fashion. After opening the season with a 38-8 rout over Gloucester, Revere blanked Peabody, 24-0, last week.
“We’re playing together as a team,” Patriots coach Lou Cicatelli said. “Offensively we’re putting a lot of points up. Defensively we’re playing well. It’s a testament to the work the kids dedicated in the weight room during the offseason. It also doesn’t hurt to have a running back (Joe Llanos) that has five touchdowns and 350 rushing yards.”
Llanos is one of a handful of Patriots who missed significant time last season due to injury. In fact, he was sidelined midway through last season’s game against Peabody. Llanos rushed for 163 yards and three touchdowns last Friday.
“Joe broke his leg and we lost him for the rest of the season,” Cicatelli said. “He had a couple touchdowns at that point of the season. Last week’s game was a big game for him and defensive end Mazer Ali. He broke his elbow last year in the Peabody game. Both of them played great games last week.”
Also back at full strength is quarterback Calvin Boudreau. A junior, Boudreau has tossed three touchdown passes and thrown for 250 passing yards.
“Calvin broke his collarbone in week two against Marblehead,” Cicatelli said. “We lost him and Jonathan Murphy stepped in. Calvin has worked hard at quarterback and we’re really pleased with his progress so far.”
With Boudreau back under center, Murphy shifts over to receiver. And he’s flourished as the team’s leading receiver. Lucas Barbosa and Billy Ginepra have also stepped up as go-to targets for Boudreau.
Defensively, the Patriots have allowed just one touchdown this season. Along with Llanos, John Tran has excelled at middle linebacker.
“John has done an excellent job,” Cicatelli said. “He’s up there with Joe. Joe leads the team in tackling. Billy’s another linebacker who’s been all over the field making plays. Zach Furlong can have a monster game on offense but he’s also been a monster tackler on defense. He’s done a great job also.”
Up front, Jaryd Benson leads a defensive line focused on limiting the ground game.
“Jaryd’s having a great year too,” Cicatelli said. “He’s a hard worker and a great kid.
“We’re stopping the run. That’s the No. 1 thing we look for. The kids watch a lot of film. They’re very hungry this year, make no mistake about it. We do a few things up front differently from what other teams do. Thus far, it’s been working very, very well.”
On special teams, kicker Rayan Riazi’s picking up where he left off after a phenomenal sophomore season last fall. Riazi split the uprights on a 42-yard field goal in last week’s win.
“Rayan has been great,” Cicatelli said. “He’s on again. He had five PATs and another 40-yard field goal the week before. He’s another kid that works hard to improve in practice.”
Cicatelli was quick to point out that Revere’s early success has been a total team effort. That includes the support the Patriots have received from the Revere community.
“It’s been great,” Cicatelli said. “We have a lot of kids come out for Revere football. We have about 75 kids in the program which is great. The student body has been tremendous, almost standing room only. That’s a bit of a rollover from last year. We had a great season last year.
“There’s a lot of excitement. The community’s definitely behind us and the student body has been spectacular at the games.”
Revere hosts Classical Friday (6:30) at Harry Della Russo Stadium.
“We’re expecting a very, very tight, close football game,” Cicatelli said. “We saw them on film from their win against Brockton. We have to contain quarterback Danny Gisonno. We have to bottle him up. They have some good receivers back too. They have threats with the deep ball. They have one of the biggest defensive lines we’re going to see this year. It’s going to be a test for us.”
Other games Friday are KIPP at Nashoba (4), St. Mary’s at Cardinal Spellman (6), Fenwick at Arlington Catholic (6:30), English at Salem (7), Mystic Valley at Tech (7), Gloucester at Peabody (7), Winthrop at Danvers (7), Malden at Lynnfield (7) and Somerville at St. John’s (7).
On Saturday, Marblehead visits Saugus (11) and Swampscott visits Beverly (1).
