After crushing playoff losses for both teams, Masco rose up and won in a hard-fought offensive shoot-out, 36-30.
Masco was coming off of one of their worst offensive halves, where they scored zero second-half points against Milford, and showed big improvement in what was their best offensive game of the season.
Chieftain junior quarterback Drew Gustafson was on fire Friday, throwing touchdown passes of 8,5, and 28 yards while also adding a quarterback sneak for the 1-yard touchdown. This was Gustafson’s best statistical game of his high school career.
“Drew had a great game. Drew’s biggest problem right now is his confidence in himself because as a staff and a team, this team has a lot more confidence in him than he seems to present on a down-to-down basis,” said head coach Patrick Sheehan. “He’s a hell of a quarterback; he just needs to play that way more consistently. He played fantastic tonight and was a big part of this team winning.”
Gustafson’s best throw of the night came late in the first half trying to get a score before the break. He scrambled to his right and just when it looked as if he might go out of bounds, he flicked a perfect ball 28 yards down the field to the back right corner of the endzone, into the outstretched arms of senior wide receiver Devin O’Brien who tapped his toes for the touchdown.
“The play was crazy. I saw Gus [Gustafson] scramble to the right, so I ran to the back corner of the endzone, and all props to him for putting it right where only I could catch it,” said senior wide receiver Devin O’Brien.
O’Brien had an excellent game hauling in five grabs for 88 yards and his first touchdown of the season. Previously before his touchdown, O’Brien had set them up deep in Lancer territory, catching a beautiful deep ball along the sideline from Gustafson.
Gustafson also found his old reliable star, junior receiver Cal Weidman, eight times for 71 yards, two touchdowns, and two 2-point conversions. Weidman has been a red zone weapon all season and has hauled in nine touchdowns this year.
“It was tough losing that playoff game but we got our guys ready for this week. Offensive played well, completing a lot of passes and driving the ball down the field,” said Gustafson. “It was a great game tonight. I played with a lot of confidence and trusted my receivers and team.”
Lancers’ senior quarterback George Rodgers was also on top of his game, throwing three touchdowns of his own and almost bringing Malden Catholic back from a 20-point deficit.
In the end, the Chieftains’ defense ended up getting the job done and sealing the deal.
Senior captain defensive tackle Chas Kelly also had a heck of a final home game. He busted through the line on a fourth and one, blowing up the entire play and getting the Chieftains offense the ball in the first quarter. Then, with the Lancers punting deep in their own territory, Kelly once again got through the line and blocked the punt, setting the Chieftains up at the one-yard line.
Kelly has been a positive jolt of energy all year for Masco and it was no different today. If a big defensive play is needed, ask Kelly, he’ll do it with a smile on his face.
Junior defensive end Lucas Magnifico and junior linebacker Ryan Richardson were anchors for the Chieftain defense, as well as sophomore linebacker Davis DeLuties, with all making big hits throughout this game.
With star junior running back Jack Fabiano out with a concussion, junior running back Alex Cantalupo and DeLuties picked up the load. DeLuties led the backs in carries and yards, but it was Cantalupo who found the endzone from two yards out for his first varsity touchdown.
“With Fabs [Fabiano] out, Davis and I had the one-two punch going. It felt amazing to get that first touchdown and score in a varsity game,” said Cantalupo.
Despite both teams going without any turnovers and their offenses thriving, Masco played better and cleaner football, torching the Malden Catholic defensive backs throughout the whole game.
From being a 2-8 Masco team last season, this win catapults them to 7-3 this season, with only the Thanksgiving game to go.
“I want to get a big team win with the boys and end off on a good note,” said O’Brien.
Since they play away for their last game, this was the final home game for the Chieftain seniors, and left it all on the field.
“I’m impressed with this team’s resolve and belief in themselves. Two really emotional games in a row before this where we didn’t come out on the right end of it and for them to come back against a good football team in Malden Catholic and compete the way they did for four quarters was awesome. A lot of guys stepped up tonight,” said Sheehan.
The Chieftains look to walk away 8-3 on the season, getting one last win when they compete at Northeast Metro Tech on Thanksgiving day.