A look at the final score in each of the Revere Patriots last two games, might make you believe that Revere is just two-points away from a 5-0 record.
However, Patriots head coach Lou Cicatelli doesn’t want to mislead anyone, including his players. After watching the tape of last Friday night’s game at Marblehead and breaking down the offense and defense, Cicatelli said he feels his team was “lucky to be in the game Friday night,†and gave Marblehead credit for playing great defense.
“The way we played we were lucky it was that close,†said Cicatelli. “Our offensive line really wasn’t blocking very well for Trey (Weathers) or any of the backs. Our defense played well for most of the game, but we had a couple of breakdowns at the end, and that’s really all there is to say.â€
Just two weeks removed from the team’s best start in a generation, Cicatelli and his team are far from giving up on the season.
“You know we were flat, this is high school football,†said Cicatelli. “We had an OK week of practice, I thought we were loose, but maybe we were too loose. I know we can get it back, if the kids put in the work and come out strong, we still think we can play with anyone.â€
The game started off very well for Revere.
Weathers, who has been a standout all season on offense, read a screen play that Marblehead was running, stepped in front of the pass and just like that Revere was up by a touchdown just three plays into the game.
Unfortunately, the team couldn’t get anything going on offense and at the half, Marblehead led 7-6.
It was 14-12 after the third quarter, with Revere’s points coming on a Trey Weathers 89 yard kickoff return, following Marblehead’s second touchdown of the game, but they still trailed by two.
“We don’t have anyone that can kick the Point After, and that hurts us, because we’re forced to go for two and if you don’t make it, it comes back to hurt you,†said Cicatelli.
Then in the fourth quarter, the patriots got their best offensive play of the game. Drew Lauria, who took some snaps at quarterback to keep the Magicians off balance, broke through for an 80-yard quarterback keeper, bringing the ball all the way down to the Marblehead one-yard line. From there Weather’s got his third touchdown of the game, and his first on offense, and added the two-point conversion for a 20-14 Revere lead.
“I really thought we played well on defense for most of the game,†said Cicatelli. “We made them work down the field slowly, didn’t really give up any big plays, had some nice stops, and forced some turnovers, but it wasn’t enough.â€
Late in the fourth Marblehead broke through for one of its longest plays of the night, a 22-yard scamper that put Marblehead back on top to stay, 21-20.
“We did get the ball back, but we just couldn’t get anything going,†said Cicatelli.
For the game Weathers recorded his lowest yardage production of the season, gaining just 73 yards, though he did account for all of Revere’s 20 points.
“On defense, Jose Amaya and Jimmy Domenici were outstanding, and of course Trey had the interception return and played solidly as well,†said Cicatelli. “Domenici is probably our leading tackler on the team and he really just made some nice plays on the defensive line.â€
Next up for the patriots is a game with “a much improved†Peabody team, as the patriots get into the heart of their Northeastern Conference schedule.
“We’ve got our work cut out for us, that’s for sure,†said the coach. “We know what its going to take to make some noise in this conference and now we’re going to have to pick ourselves up.â€
“Peabody is good, they’re big and strong, but I think we match up very well with them, so we’re looking forward to the challenge,†said Cicatelli.