Generous Patriots Drop a 25-6 Decision to Classical

Missed opportunities and miscues proved a combination that the Revere High football team was unable to overcome in a 25-6 loss to Lynn Classical Friday evening at the Manning Bowl in Lynn.

“We played sloppy football,” said RHS head coach Lou Cicatelli. “We handed Classical some golden opportunities that they took advantage of, but we failed to capitalize on the chances they gave us.”

The Patriots found themselves trailing 12-0 just four minutes into the contest thanks to a pair of mishaps in special teams play. First, there was a Revere fumble on the opening kickoff that gave Classical the ball at the RHS 19 from where Classical made it 6-0.

Then, on a Patriot punt on the ensuing Revere possession, a 47 yard runback set up Classical once again deep inside Patriot territory, from where the Rams made it 12-0.

However, Revere struck back quick as lightning thanks to a 50 yard TD jaunt by Drew Lauria (who racked up 105 yards on the night) to slice the Classical margin to 12-6.

The Pats then settled down and the Revere defense, which was bulwarked all night by the linebacking trio of Andy Restiano, Comlan Adjinah, and a banged-up captain Rob Sasso, held firm until the intermission.

In addition, the Revere offense continued to move the ball, but a drive stalled at the Classical 10 late in the second quarter.

“We felt pretty good when we went into the locker room at that point,” said Cicatelli. “After the opening four minutes, we outplayed them and we were ready for a big second half.”

Indeed, Revere’s hopes soared on the kickoff to start the half when Classical returned the Pats’ favor from the game’s opening kickoff and fumbled, handing the ball to Revere on the LC 10.

However, four plays netted only five yards, giving the ball back to Classical on downs.

But Revere was back in the driver’s seat a few plays later when Adjinah recovered another Classical fumble at the LC 40. However, once again the scoring opportunity went by the boards when the Revere offense was unable to move the ball.

“Those two missed chances off the turnovers really hurt our hopes of reversing the game’s momentum,” said Cicatelli, who noted that his team had the ball in the red zone on three occasions on the night, but came up empty handed each time.

Classical did not turn the ball over on the ensuing possession and marched 55 yards to move further ahead, 18-6. A long TD pass late in the third period sealed the deal for Classical for the 25-6 finale.

“We’re going through a tough stretch,” said Cicatelli, whose squad now stands at 5-4 with two games to play. “We need to regroup for these last two games.”

The Patriots will be back in action tomorrow (Thursday) evening for a special midweek, “Thursday Night Lights” encounter versus Masconomet. Kick off time at Harry D.R. Stadium for the game, the Pats’ final contest before Thanksgiving Day at Winthrop, is set for 7:00.