RHS sports Roundup
Danvers defense dominates; Patriots trek to Salem Friday
The Revere High football team ran into what RHS head coach Lou Cicatelli termed “the best defense we’ve faced all year” and came up empty-handed in a 27-0 loss to Danvers last Thursday evening at Deering Stadium in Danvers.
The Falcons entered the game with a 0-3 record, but that winless mark belied Danvers’ strength. “They had lost three close games to some of the strongest teams in the NEC, including Marblehead, so we knew we had to be prepared for a tough game,” said Cicatelli. “We had some success in the first half on our quarterback option play, but they made some adjustments at the half and shut us down in the second half.”
The coach was referring to the yardage gained by RHS junior quarterback Danny Murphy in the opening half, but that would prove to be the extent of the Patriot offensive success on the night. The Falcons were ready for Revere’s star running back, senior captain Kaleb Silva, and for the first time this season, Kaleb was a non-factor when the Patriots had the ball.
On the other hand, Cicatelli was highly-pleased with the performance of his defense, led by the trio of linebacker Steve Noel, Mike Norton, and Silva. Revere sacked the Danvers quarterback four times and proved stingy in the second half, giving the offense the opportunity to get back into the game with the score standing at a very-approachable 13-0 at the intermission. However, a Patriot fumble of a screen pass at the Revere 10 yard line and then a 50 yard punt return provided Danvers with the insurance scores that settled the contest.
“Our defense once again gave us a chance to win this game, but we need to fix some things on offense,” said Cicatelli, “The coaches had a heart-to-heart talk with the team at our practice on Sunday and we’re hoping that as a team we can achieve the focus on offense that we’ve shown on defense.”
However, there is some good news for the Patriots and their fans. Despite falling to 1-3 on the season, Revere still is in the hunt for a post-season playoff berth. A victory in this week’s contest at Salem could propel the Patriots into a playoff spot under the complicated rating system devised by the MIAA last year.
“Our destiny still is in our own hands,” said Cicatelli. “We haven’t played inspired football for the past two weeks, but if we play to our potential, we have the ability to get into the playoffs.”
Kick-off time is 7:00 for the Friday Night Lights affair at Salem’s Bertram Field.
Girls cross country
team improves to 5-1
The Revere High girls cross country team improved to 5-1 on the season with wins over Northeastern Conference foe Lynn Classical and non-league rival Medford in a tri-meet held on a damp, drizzly, and dank Tuesday afternoon at the local Belle Isle course.
“It was the first time we’ve faced Medford since departing the GBL and without knowing much about them, the team pushed to earn a close victory,” said RHS head coach Katie Sinnott.
Five Lady Patriots improved their home personal records (PR): juniors Jaclynne Dion, Suellen Guerriero, and Lyba Khan; sophomore Joanna Severino Perez; and freshman Hannah Fitzpatrick. In addition to running a new home PR, Khan ran her fastest pace in a race and earned the most improved honors from Sinnott.
“I was extremely please with how Hannah and Suellen pushed each other throughout the race, both encouraging and challenging each other to run faster,” noted Sinnott. “Vanessa Puopolo finished strong by out-kicking Medford’s number one girl, ensuring first place for the team. Â She continues to race well.”
The final tallies showed Revere running away from Classical, 16-47, and edging Medford, 25-30. Puopolo topped the entire field with a clocking of 20:44. Teammate Hannah Fitzpatrick came across in 21:09, good for fourth place. She was followed by teammates Guerreiro in 21:11 and Dion in 21:31. Hayley Mangino completed the Revere scoring with a 10th place overall finish in 23:04.
Joanna Severino Perez was the sixth Revere runner in 12th place in 24:06. Other Lady Patriot runners were: Lani Stevens in 24:50, good for 18th place overall; Nicole Paddock in 24:57 (19th); Trisha Cheever in 25:04 (20th); Megan Erwin in 25:18 (21st); Ally Ciano in 27:14 (27th); Jessica Ventura in 30:37 (30th); Leslie Constancia in 30:50 (31st); Catherine Monroy in 31:20 (32nd); Meloee Nazaire in 31:20 (35th); and Khan in 36:44 (36th).
Sinnott and her crew will trek to Salem today (Wednesday).
Field hockey team
defeats Salem, 3-0
The young Revere High field hockey team put it all together last Thursday to earn a 3-0 victory over Salem.
Junior Julia Freni scored the first goal in the first two minutes of the game. Senior captain Olivia Venezia scored the second, while freshmen Victoria Correia put the icing on the Revere victory cake when she reached the back of the box for the third Revere tally.
RHS head coach Erin Parker also praised the play of sophomore Sam Woodman and senior captain Jasmina Zelkanovic for their solid games at center back and center midfield respectively, where they helped build the ball on offense.
“We have been steadily improving as a young team,” said Parker. “We have six freshmen and five sophomores either starting or seeing significant playing time.”
Parker and her crew took on former Greater Boston League rival Malden this past Monday and will meet Beverly today (Wednesday). They trek to Danvers Friday and entertain Marblehead Tuesday.
Boys soccer team
draws with Marblehead
The Revere High boys soccer team battled to a nil-nil (0-0) draw with Marblehead last week in less-than-ideal playing conditions on the turf field at Revere High last Wednesday.
“It was a slick field, which made it difficult for both teams to control the ball,” said RHS head coach Abdel Rhazi. “The wet turf actually makes the ball moves faster, unlike on real grass.”
The Patriots had the better of the play against a Marblehead team from the other side of the Northeastern Conference (the NEC Small), but could not find the back of the net. “Overall, we should have played better,” said Rhazi. “It was not one of our better efforts.”
The Patriots were scheduled to be back in action the next day against Swampscott, another rival from the NEC Small, but the bomb scare at the high school forced the postponement of all interscholastic activities. That contest may be rescheduled for next Thursday.
Rhazi and his crew, who now stand at a fine 6–2-1 on the season, trek to Beverly tomorrow (Thursday) and will host former Greater Boston League foe Malden, which is enjoying a superb season with an 8-0-1 record, at 10:00 on Columbus Day morning. The Pats then will entertain Salem next Wednesday.
RHS cross country boys
shorthanded, but run well
Injuries and illnesses took their toll on the Revere High boys cross country team in its tri-meet last week with Lynn Classical and Medford. Only six Patriots were on hand for the starting gun, and that number dwindled to five at the finish line when Christ Genty pulled a muscle midway through the race and was unable to continue.
Despite the dire situation, four of the five Patriots accomplished a personal record (PR) on their home course, much to the delight of RHS head coach Mike Flynn.
“We were facing a lot of adversity coming into the race, but I was very proud of the way the team responded,” said Flynn. “They gave it their best and the result was that four of our five runners came in with their best times on their home course despite a wet surface.”
Revere’s top runner, Salah Barhoum, finished in second place in the large field in a time of 16:23, which was one second better than his run last week. Sebastian Mejia was the next Patriot across the line in seventh place with a clocking of 18:12. Bounlaing Chea was the third Revere finisher in eighth position with a time of 18:26, which was 47 seconds faster than his previous best at Belle Isle.
Senior Fredy Flores was the fourth Revere finisher in 20:24, a PR by 40 seconds, which was good for 17th place in the field. Ashton Deruosi completed the Blue & White scoring with a 22:44 clocking, fully two minutes faster than his previous fastest time at Belle Isle.
Flynn and his crew, who hopefully will be closer to full strength in the coming week, were set to trek to Salem today (Wednesday) for a meet with the Witches.
Girls soccer team
showing improvement
Although the Revere High girls soccer team dropped their contest with Marblehead this past week, RHS head coach Megan O’Donnell saw some positives in her team’s performance.
“We received some great goaltending from Jade Aquilar. She kept us in the game at the half with some great saves,” said O’Donnell. “Jade has shown her true leadership colors this year by playing goal for us.
“Another player who has stepped up as a leader is junior Vivian Aguliar,” said O’Donnell. “She has shown that hard work can pay off. Vivian started out last year on JV, worked hard all summer so she could make the varsity team, and she did. Vivian has a ‘no quit’ attitude and a lot of her teammates look up to her for that.
“Senior Jennifer Mata is another player who works hard every game and is really starting to mature into a great soccer player,” added the coach.
The Lady Patriots were set to play Winthrop yesterday (Tuesday), Beverly tomorrow, and host Cristo Rey Friday. They will travel to Salem next Wednesday.
Volleyball team
drops two contests
The Revere High volleyball team dropped both of its contests this past week, falling to Marblehead, 3-0, and to Swampscott, 3-1.
In the Marblehead contest, in which Revere was outscored 25-18, 25-11, and 25-17, RHS head coach Jaime Imbracsio praised the play of Vanessa Leone for her five digs at the Libero position and Natashe Iacivello, who came through with two digs, three aces, and five kills.
The Lady Patriots were scheduled to host Winthrop yesterday (Tuesday) and Beverly tomorrow. They travel to Salem next Wednesday.
RHS sports Through the Years
10 years ago
October 6, 2004
Quarterback Reggie Royster tossed a pair of TD passes to Emilio Digitale, but the RHS football team came up on the short end of a 29-26 decision to Peabody Friday night at Harry Della Russo Stadium. Revere had scored an apparent go-ahead touchdown from the two yard line with less than two minutes to play, but the TD was called back because of an illegal formation penalty. Jose Escobar scored two touchdowns for Revere.
The RHS girls cross country team improved to 4-1 with wins of 27-28 over Somerville and 25-31 over Medford. Revere was led by freshman Amanda Todisco in both meets. Teammates Kate Butland, Arianna Coniglio, Rose DelloRusso, and Alicia Palleschi completed the scoring for the Lady Pats. Todisco finished in 26th place among a field of 200 runners in the freshmen race of the Bay State Invitational Saturday at Franklin Park.
The RHS girls soccer team rebounded from a 7-0 loss to Cambridge to post a 4-1 win over Somerville. Christina Polsonetti, Alex DeMattia, Lisa Felley, and Kendall Zullo scored the goals for Revere.
The RHS boys soccer team broke into the win column with a 3-0 triumph over Somerville. Medhi Cahrani scored two goals for Revere and Juan Nino added a third.
RHS senior Ryan Burke finished in 18th place out of a field of 300 runners in Saturday’s Bay State Invitational cross country meet. Burke finished the 5K course in a time of 16:53.
Stephanie Bruno, assisted by Kara Corbelle, scored the equalizer for the RHS field hockey team in a 1-1 tie with Bedford.
30 years ago
October 3, 1984
Festa Construction captured the city softball title with a 4-2 series win over SRG Liberty. Members of the champion Festa squad include Jerry Bottle, Joe Leone, Bobby Lanzo, Charlie Mandraccia, Bobby Munafo, Billy Melchionno, Tony Chiaradonna, Mike Russo, John Festa, Joe Festa, Mario Oliveri, Al Petrilli, Frank Pesce, Charlie Patch, and batboy Richie Scannelli.
The RHS football team dropped a 14-0 decision to Medford in its GBL opener. Four turnovers at key times thwarted Patriot scoring drives deep inside Medford territory, including two fumbles inside the Mustang 10 in the first period.
Junior David DeMattia paced the RHS boys cross country team to a 24-36 win over Malden.
John Teneglia scored the hat trick to lead the RHS soccer team to a 5-0 win over Malden. Esteban Morales had two goals. However the Patriots dropped a 7-0 decision to Arlington in their next contest.
40 years ago
October 2, 1974
Frank Mucci went over the 100 yard mark for the second spright week and scored three touchdowns, one coming on a 75 yard interception return, to pace the RHS football team to a 28-0 win over Arlington Saturday. Phil DiLegro scored the other Revere TD on a 36 yard scamper.
The RHS cross country team was knocked from the unbeaten ranks thanks to a 25-30 loss to Chelsea that was highlighted by one of the most-anticipated head-to-head showdowns in New England running circles in many years between RHS star Dom Finelli and Chelsea’s freshman phenom, Bobby Goss. Goss won the race, defeating Finelli by 30 seconds, to pace the Red Devil victory. The race drew a large crowd of spectators to the GBL course.
50 years ago
October 1, 1964
The RHS football team picked up where it left off last season, which was the most successful in RHS history, with a 22-8 win over Stoughton Saturday. Southpaw quarterback Jim DelGaizo connected on 13-of-19 attempts for 107 yards. Paul Nuell rushed for two touchdowns on runs of 22 and 35 yards. DelGaizo tossed a TD pass to Vic Mancini for the third RHS score.
The Immaculate Conception High football team saw a 12-0 lead evaporate in the final period in a 14-12 loss to St. Patrick’s of Watertown in the season opener. Co-captain Bob Feerick tossed a 21 yard TD pass to Mike Carabba for the first Revicon TD, but coach Ron corbett’s squad was dealt a serious blow when Feerick left the game shortly thereafter with a broken ankle. Bill Carino scored the second IC touchdown on a 60 yard interception return.
70 years ago
October 5, 1944
The Revere High football team dropped a 19-6 decision to a highly-touted Chelsea squad Saturday afternoon before 6500 fans at Paul Revere Stadium. Bob Casoli tossed a 68 yard pass to Jerry Sarno for Revere’s lone score.
The Immaculate Conception High football team displayed speed and power in a 32-0 romp over St. Patrick’s of Stoneham. Flashy halfback Bill Sweeney scored three touchdowns and threw a TD pass to Johnny Gilbert. Walter Nolan intercepted a pass and ran it back 90 yards for the fifth IC score
