Last Friday night, the Masconomet Chieftains began their new era with a bang, spoiling week one for the Newburyport Clippers.
Things couldn’t have started any better for the Chieftains who wasted no time getting rolling to begin the first quarter.
After a couple of big chunk runs from junior running back Jack Fabiano, the offense seemed invincible as sophomore Davis DeLuties crossed the goal line, striking first for the Chieftains.
Masco then followed this up with a cool trick play in which Fabiano converted the two-point attempt to put the team ahead 8-0.
The running back duo of Fabiano and DeLuties will be a headache for any team tackling them.
DeLuties rushed 10 times for 46 yards and a touchdown and Fabiano had 25 touches for 119 yards and propelled the Chieftains to the win with two touchdowns.
Credit must be given to the big boys up front on the offensive line for creating all the space the running backs needed.
Newburyport couldn’t get anything going on offense for almost the entirety of the first half due to tenacious play from Masco’s defensive line and linebackers.
Captain defensive end Cash Kornusky was getting by his block often, leading Masco with five tackles including a sack.
Other than an interception from a deflected ball, Masco’s offense scored on almost all their drives in the first half.
Junior quarterback Drew Gustafson was not only getting it done through the air but also picked up two huge first downs on third-and-longs with his legs.
Gustafson looked really solid in his debut passing for 96 yards and a touchdown on 8/13 attempts to go along with three rushes for 46 yards on the ground.
Gustafson’s best pass of the night came deep into the second quarter when he found junior receiver Cal Weidman in the back right corner of the endzone on a fantastic toe-tapping catch, from 22 yards out to put Masco up 22-0.
Other notable throws both came on third down finding senior receiver Devin O’Brien and junior receiver Liam Ginley for completions to keep the drives alive.
“The connection between my receivers has been great, we’ve been working super hard in practice to get everything down but man, I love my receivers,” said Gustafson
With touchdowns from DeLuties, Fabiano, and Weidman, the Clippers needed a spark before halftime.
Newburyport receiver Eli Serota was that spark, catching a 45-yard touchdown from quarterback Colin Fuller.
The extra point was botched and Masco went into the break feeling comfortable with a 22-6 lead.
Unfortunately for Masco, that comfort didn’t last long.
Early into the third quarter, receiver Sam Craig beat his man deep securing a 52-yard dime from Fuller for a touchdown but the two-point conversion try was unsuccessful leaving the score 22-12 Masco.
Masco didn’t have much go right in the third quarter but a bright spot for them all game was the kick returns from junior return man Ryan Richardson.
Richardson set Masco up in beautiful field position every time he returned breaking countless tackles and helping slow down the Clippers’ momentum.
Fuller wasn’t done throwing the rock as he threw his third touchdown pass to Mark Mosesian from 47 yards out and converted the two-point conversion himself running to the goal line.
Now with less than five minutes left, it was a one-score game, 22-20 Masco.
After an excellent Richardson return, Masco’s offensive line stepped up and started opening holes like in the first half.
Fabiano and DeLuties took Masco deep into the red zone but on fourth down and two from the eight-yard line, DeLuties reached for the first down and lost the football which was recovered by Newburyport in the endzone resulting in a touchback and turnover.
With under three minutes to go, Newburyport just needed to get into field goal range to take the lead.
The Chieftains’ defense had other plans, forcing a turnover on downs after a fumbled snap on fourth down taking over at around the 25 yard-line.
Now the Chieftains needed to make Newburyport burn their timeouts and hopefully find the endzone. Luckily that was on the agenda for Fabiano, as he ran behind big offensive guard Cam Bucchieree into the endzone from the one-yard line.
“That touchdown felt great, I was so gassed from running the whole game but we got it in and got the job done,” said Fabiano, “The rushing game was great tonight for all of us, the offensive line was making holes and we are only getting better, we’ll see Billerica next week.”
Masco kicker Nicco Cefalo then came out for a crucial extra point and drilled it, going three for three on the day and solidifying the win for Masco.
“I’m going to cry, I’m so very proud. So much work has gone into tonight and every single day since the beginning of February has been brand new. Yesterday we had our first pregame practice as a program and today was the first game as a program,” said head coach Patrick Sheehan, “These kids just keep stepping up and it was no different tonight.”
Masco showed what they were made of and looks to be in for a strong year in the Northeast Conference but definitely needs to improve on a few things before playing a powerhouse like Bilerica.
“We need to play four quarters, I think we got a little fat and happy in the second half. Some things didn’t go our way and we lost our heads a little bit. Championship teams and winners just find a way and you know what, tonight we found a way,” said Sheehan.
Masco now looks to improve to 2-0 against their next opponent Billerica at home this coming Friday.