In the battle at the Bunker, the Milford Scarlet Hawks came out alive, spoiling the Chieftains’ fabulous season with a final score of 24-15.
This was a slow-paced grind of a football game from start to finish. There was never a point, until the last three minutes, where fans definitively knew who was going to win.
Each team struggled to get any momentum going on offense, partially due to the extremely excessive amount of flags the officiating crew was throwing. It felt as if every play one had if not two penalties, usually resulting in off-setting.
Milford was the team that struck first, hitting Masco where they’ve been weak this season, on a post over the middle, to set them up with goal-to-go on the first drive.
Luckily, Masco’s lightning bolt in their backfield, junior running back Jack Fabiano, answered, immediately taking a run that looked to be over and turning it into a 61-yard touchdown, while also getting the two-point conversion himself, giving Masco the early 8-6 lead.
Fabiano finished the regular season leading the North Shore in carries, yards, touchdowns, and total points scored.
Other than that run, Fabiano was kept in check by the Scarlet Hawks’ defense, and instead of putting up his typical video game numbers, he took 11 carries for 96 yards.
With the Chieftains down 14-8 and the first half dwindling, junior quarterback Drew Gustafson threw into the harsh wind and found star junior receiver Cal Weidman from 24 yards out.
This connection is one to keep an eye on heading next year, as the duo has connected for six touchdowns this season.
Directly after that score, Masco pulled a little trickery when stud junior kicker Nicco Cefalo recovered his own onside kick but unfortunately, the Chieftains couldn’t steal another before the break.
The Masco offense hit a brick wall in the second half, picking up only three first downs on their next four possessions.
Fortunately, the Chieftain defense was ferocious Friday night and kept them in the game despite offensive struggles.
Masco’s star junior defensive end Lucas Magnifico stole the show, leading the Chieftains in tackles, and having many key plays.
When Milford got the football at around their own 15 yard-line off of a bad punt and a penalty, it was almost certain they’d come away with points yet the Masco defense disagreed.
The attempted field goal was blocked when Magnifico came flying off the edge, providing a little spark for Masco.
Magnifico’s partner in crime on the other side of the line, senior captain defensive end Cash Kornusky, was also fantastic, setting the edge and delivering big hits all night.
“Our hearts were in the right place. We fought our butts off, but nothing much more you can say; it didn’t end up going our way,” said Kornusky. “Going from 2-8 last year to 6-3 this year just says something. We have a young team that has a ton of leaders in that junior class who will do special things next year.”
Milford ended up hitting a field goal to begin the fourth quarter taking the lead 17-15, and that ended up being the difference. A clutch forced fumble from Masco sophomore Davis DeLuties set up a chance for the Chieftains to go down the field and win the game. Hope was still alive until Milford senior Andrew Rivera picked off Gustafson and set up the garbage-time touchdown for Milford, sealing the deal on this one.
Senior captain defensive tackle Chas Kelly, who may be considered small for an interior lineman, has a bigger heart than all. Kelly battled all night long and was a leader for the Chieftains all season long.
“Honestly, I couldn’t have asked for a better season. This is the best group of guys ever and this has been the best thing I’ve ever done in my life,” said Kelly. “I am so appreciative and have never been so blessed to be a part of such a great team, love these guys.”
“Your story is not finished,” is the phrase Masco head coach Patrick Sheehan has said all season through wins and losses, good times and bad and he once again repeated those words to his players tonight after the game. Sheehan has made such a deep mark in this program through only a singular year which takes a special coach to do.
“It was a great high school football game. Unfortunately, someone has to go home empty-handed, and tonight that was us. I feel really bad for our seniors but am really proud of everything the program has done to earn the right to be in this game and compete,” he said.
Obviously, a playoff loss is a big shot to morale, but the Chieftains still have two games left in their schedule to go win, and that is Sheehan’s intention.
“These kids are fighters and workers; they want to win and get better,” said Sheehan. “Once the dust settles from this game, they will be ready to go on Monday no doubt.”
Masco now looks onto their consolation matchup against Malden Catholic this Friday night: one last home game for the seniors.