Division 4 Super Bowl: Melrose vs. Plymouth South

The players propelling Melrose this season to a fourth state final appearance in six years weren’t the leaders of the Red Raiders 2017 state title run.

But Melrose coach Tim Morris hopes being on the periphery of that journey will serve as an aid when they try to accomplish the same feat.

With new stars at the forefront, undefeated Melrose (11-0) looks to obtain more hardware when it collides with Plymouth South (10-2) in the Division 4 Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium on Saturday (3:30 p.m.).

“It’s certainly nice to have the experience,” Morris said. “Not many were major contributors the last time we were there. But they have the experience of going there and maybe they won’t be as wide-eyed as they were back then and treat it like a business trip.”

While there’s no substitute for Melrose’s experience, Morris may need to find a replacement for injured star senior running back Chris Cusolito.

Cusolito, who has totaled 25 touchdowns this season, fractured his fibula in Melrose’s 41-7 win over Revere in the North final on Nov. 15. Morris said it’s a “wait-and-see” approach on if Cusolito can play.

Melrose, which has outscored its opponents 445-105, still has plenty of offensive options. Matt Hickey and William Pesce are both reliable running backs while Matt Dussault and Sean Herbert are primary targets for dual-threat quarterback Brendan Fennell.

“Other guys may not have as big of big-play potential (as Cusolito), but certainly, we have the people who can still run the offense well,” Morris said.

Plymouth South looks to control the game with its dynamic ground attack spearheaded by senior running back Nick Siegelman, who has rushed for 1,564 yards and 21 touchdowns. The 5-foot-6, 165-pound Siegelman finds running lanes to burst through behind an offensive line anchored by senior captains Anthony Luongo and James Kernan.

“(Siegelman) is somebody we need to count on, and everybody, in the game of this size,” said Plymouth South coach Scott Fry. “Nick is obviously a very important part of our game plan.”

When opposing defenses key in on Siegelman, quarterback Hunter Dean can find Keven Paul and Cillian Davis, both of whom are two-way standouts at wide receiver and defensive back.

The Panthers don’t have the same Super Bowl experience as Melrose — the last time Plymouth South made a Super Bowl appearance was 2013 — but they feel they can deal with the heightened pressure just the same.

“I don’t think the moment will be too big for them,” Fry said. “They’re really excited to have the opportunity to play for a state championship at Gillette. … I expect them to continue what they’ve been doing all year long.”

DIVISION 4

Melrose vs. Plymouth South

Saturday, December 7 at Gillette Stadium, 3:30 p.m.

MELROSE RED RAIDERS (11-0)

HEAD COACH: Tim Morris

Melrose 46, MALDEN 6

Melrose 41, LINCOLN-SUDBURY 7

Melrose 48, WILMINGTON 14

MELROSE 28, Stoneham 21

Melrose 35, WOBURN 6

MELROSE 49, Burlington 14

MELROSE 47, Watertown 0

MELROSE 48, Burlington 9

MELROSE 26, Marblehead 14

MELROSE 41, Revere 7

MELROSE 35, Wakefield 7

PLYMOUTH SOUTH PANTHERS (10-2)

HEAD COACH: Scott Fry

CHICOPEE COMP. 17, Plymouth South 7

Plymouth South 14, DIGHTON-REHOBOTH 3

PLYMOUTH SOUTH 15, Scituate 9

PLYMOUTH SOUTH 19, Hanover 13

Plymouth South 20, QUINCY 0

PLYMOUTH SOUTH 41, North Quincy 14

Plymouth South 54, PEMBROKE 20

PLYMOUTH SOUTH 42, Hopkinton 6

PLYMOUTH SOUTH 35, Nauset 14

Plymouth South 27, MILTON 22

Plymouth South 26, Tantasqua 14

PLYMOUTH NORTH 49, Plymouth South 0

Home team in caps

SUPER BOWL HISTORY

Melrose is making its fifth Super Bowl appearance. After losing in their first three appearance, the fourth time was a charm for the Red Raiders in 2017. Isaac Seide ripped off 184 rushing yards and two touchdowns on 28 carries in a 21-0 win over Nashoba in the Division 4 Super Bowl.

Plymouth South will be playing in its second Super Bowl. The Panthers competed in the Division 3 championship game in 2013, losing to Tewksbury, 42-14. Dylan Oxsen was a bright spot for Plymouth South as he rushed for 141 yards and two touchdowns on 27 carries.

 

from Boston Herald https://ift.tt/34Eb0cx