MARBLEHEAD – What looked like a runaway by Marblehead after building a 24-0 halftime lead, turned out to be a game decided in the final 26 seconds of the 4th quarter. The Magicians scored on their first three possessions of the game: Phelan Tinti-Kane hit a 32 yard field goal to make it 3-0 with 5:31 left in the first quarter; Jack McGrath took the first play of the 2nd quarter 24 yards to make it 10-0; Andy Clough (6 for 12 for 96 yards passing, 11 rushes for 87 yards) ran it in from 6 yards out with 7:20 left in the first half; and Tim Cronin’s 22 yard run finished off an 11 play, 99 yard drive with 7 seconds left in the first half that turned out to be the eventual game-winner.
The Magicians (9-0) racked up 256 yards in the first half to the Wildcats 106.
Then, came the second half.
A 20 play 90 yard drive to open up the second half finished with Connor Benoit punching it in from a yard out for Wilmington to cut the lead to 24-6 with 1:49 left in the third quarter.
After recovering the ensuing onside kick, the Wildcats cut the lead to 24-14 as quarterback Graham Smith (11 for 21 for 140 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT) hit Justin Fraser for a 40 yard touchdown just 13 seconds after Wakefield’s previous score.
With 5:49 left in the game, Adam Bishop kicked a 32 yard field goal for Wilmington that brought the score to 24-17.
On the game’s final drive, Wilmington was driving toward the end zone, when Seamus Keaney intercepted Smith’s pass at the Marblehead 9 yard line with 26 seconds left.
In the second half, Wilmington outgained Marblehead 166 to 29 and ran 47 plays to Marblehead’s 11.
Marblehead travels to Melrose next Friday for the D4 championship.
Fans on both sides of the stadium voiced displeasure at several of the calls and non-calls by the officials.
Marblehead senior DB with post game comments
Marblehead football coach Jim Rudloff with postgame comments
