Patriots Make It Three in a Row, Power Past Swampscott

The Revere High football team rolled to its third straight victory with an impressive 21-6 triumph at Swampscott’s Blocksidge Field Saturday afternoon.

The Big Blue have been a bit of a nemesis for the Patriots since Revere joined the Northeastern Conference, with the Pats typically coming away with an “L” at the final whistle. Indeed, Saturday’s contest started out in the same manner as have those meetings between the schools for the past five or six years, with Swampscott going in for a touchdown late in the first period to grab a 6-0 lead.

However, the first period saw the Pats demonstrate an ability to move the ball on offense which was a foreshadowing of good things to come for the Revere side. With senior quarterback Joe Ritchie at the helm, the Pats launched a 60 yard drive in the second frame, capped by a 30 yard pass to paydirt to Tom Portrait, that made it 7-6 in Revere’s favor after Jeff Simbert’s successful PAT conversion.

The Patriot running game (which piled up 270 yards on the day) continued to pound away on the next Revere possession, moving the ball 70 yards to the Big Blue one yard line with three seconds left on the clock. Though a pass attempt by Ritchie fell incomplete to end the half, the Patriots went into the locker room both with the lead and with the confidence in knowing that they could move the football almost at will against the Swampscott defense.

“We had a lot of success running the football between the tackles against them,” said RHS head coach Lou Cicatelli. “We used the pass to set up the run and vice versa.”

Ritchie and Company went back to work after the intermission, moving 70 yards midway through the third quarter for a touchdown. An 11 yard pass from Ritchie to tight end Osman Mandzo in the flat brought the pigskin into the endzone. With Simbert’s PAT once again was straight and true, the Pats held a 14-6 advantage.

The Swampscott offense meanwhile, was not exactly being quiet. The Big Blue also had success moving the chains, but the difference in the game proved to be a staunch Patriot defense that got tough in the red zone.

“We bent, but we didn’t break,” said Cicatelli, noting that his defensive charges stymied Swampscott three times in the red zone, including three huge stops in the second half. The first came on a fourth and one to halt one Swampscott drive. Then came a pair of stuffs on successive plays when Swampscott had a third and two at the Revere two yard line.

“I can’t say enough about the kind of effort we turned in on defense,” noted Cicatelli. “The defense was spectacular.”

The double-stuffs at deep in Revere territory set the stage for the final Revere drive that put the game away. Junior Steve Piazza accounted for two of the key plays, a 30 yard run on a counter play and then a 60 yard pass connection with Ritchie on a fly route. Ritchie himself took the ball over from the one yard line to make it 21-6 midway through the final quarter to seal the win.

As noted, Cicatelli was high in his praise for his defense, which was led by linebackers Conlen Adjindah, Andy Restiano, Bobby Rose, and Caleb Silva. The coach also lauded the play of cornerbacks Simbert and Nick Carini, both of whom did an excellent job all day staying with the Swampscott receivers.

Two-way lineman Marvin Rios also turned in an outstanding performance on both sides of the ball.

“This was a great win for our team and our program,” said Cicatelli. “We came into their stadium, fell behind, but showed a lot of poise and came back to win.”

Cicatelli and his crew will entertain another traditional NEC power, Salem, when the Witches come to Harry Della Russo Stadium for a Friday Night Lights encounter. Salem is 2-1 with wins over Peabody (38-8) and Archbishop Williams (29-6) and a loss to Masconomet (23-8).  Kick off time is 7:00.

RHS golf team tops Everett, 45-27

The Revere High golf team took the measure of former Greater Boston League rival Everett, 45- 27, last Monday. Six of coach Matt Nazzaro’s players defeated their Everett counterparts. Mark Maloney at No. 2, Jeff Kingston at No. 4, and Gennaro Cataldo at No. 6 all won by four or more strokes to pave the way to victory.

Although the Patriots did not fare as well in their next three matches at Beverly, Winthrop, and Peabody, there were some individual highlights.

In the match at the Beverly Golf and Tennis Club last Tuesday, T.J. MacDonald was able to halve his match, 4.5-4.5, against his opponent. Gennaro Cataldo at No 6 put up three points for the Patriots against his Beverly foe.

In the contest at the Winthrop Golf Club last Wednesday, No. 1  John Cimmaruta halved his match against Winthrop’s No. 1 player. No. 6 Cataldo and Jason Seigal at No. 8 both earned 3.5 points for the Revere side of the scoresheet.

In the Patriots’ fourth match in as many days at The Meadows in Peabody, Brett Deukmejian had the best showing for the Patriots, halving his match in the No. 8 slot, 4.5-4.5. “Brett played his best round of the year on one of the most difficult courses,” noted Nazzaro.

“This was a tough stretch for us,” said the coach. “We played on the home courses of three of the best teams in the Northeastern Conference.”

Nazzaro and his crew hosted Lynn English at Cedar Glen this past Monday and played a three way match against Lynn Classical and Saugus yesterday (Tuesday).

“I’m confident that we will get one, if not three victories this week,” added Nazzaro, “especially after playing the three top teams in the NEC back to back to back last week.”

Revere High boys cross country team tops English

The Revere High boys cross country team split its tri-meet last week, defeating Lynn English, but falling to Beverly, in a race held on the Lynn Woods course.

The Patriots not only had to deal with their two opponents, but also with a treacherous path through the woods. By the time all of the runners had come back out of the woods, two Patriots had turned their ankles and some had missed markers and lost their way.

“It was a strange race,” said RHS head coach Mike Flynn. “Overall I was very pleased with the way the boys ran, but it was not an indication of how well we can run because of the problems we encountered on the race course.”

Leading the way for Revere was Kristi Nushi, who took fourth place overall in a time of 18:28. Rawlings Toglon was the next Patriot ro emerge from the thicket, coming across in sixth spot overall in 18:32. Karim Sahila was the next Revere runner across the line in 19:56, followed by Mohamed Bensadok in 20:15 and William Truong in 20:16 to complete the Revere scoring.

John DelloRusso appeared to be on pace to turn in a fine run, but turned his ankle and limped home. Chris Gentry, who was competing in his first cross country meet, also fell victim to the rocky road. Derek Fortuna, Jay Mistri, Boun Laing, and Anderson Venagas also competed for the Patriots.

Flynn and his crew were set to be back in action today (Wednesday) when they return to the safe pavement of the local course, hosting Marblehead. They will host Lynn Classical next Tuesday.

RHS girls soccer  edges Salem, 1-0

A goal by Jackie Noel late in the second half proved the difference to give the Revere High girls soccer team a 1-0 victory over Salem last Thursday.

Among the players cited for their fine performance in the victory by Coach Natalie Lyons squad were keeper Amy Rotger, who played a strong game in goal and made some great saves; sweeper Paola Ortez, who turned in a strong and smart effort and who was able to pull Salem off sides multiple times; Dayna Brown, who  had a great game at center-mid covering Salem’s best player; and Adrianna Borriello, who played very well at outside half.

“It was a great win for us and the team was very excited,” said Lyons.

Earlier in the week the Lady Patriots dropped a heartbreaking 1-0 contest to Lynn Classical, which scored late in the game to earn the victory.

“We had plenty of opportunities including a free kick by Paola Ortez that hit the post and other ones by Jackie Noel,” said Lyons. “The girls played great, especially our defenders, Danielle Fortuna, Aliza Anderson and Marisa Verruto.”

Lyons and her crew hosted Beverly Monday and travel to Lynn English today (Wednesday). They host Marblehead Friday and trek up Route 1 to Saugus Tuesday.

Rough stretch for boys soccer team

The Revere High boys soccer team went through a bit of a rough patch this past week, dropping all three of its contests to Northeastern Conference rivals Lynn Classical and Salem and non league foe O’Bryant High of Boston.

The Patriots managed just one goal in the three game stretch, with RHS captain Wilmer Cruz heading the ball into the back of the Salem net off a nice crossing pass from fellow captain Ben Graciani. That goal gave the Patriots a 1-0 lead in the opening half, but Salem knotted the contest just before intermission and then scored with three minutes to play to claim the 2-1 victory.

“It’s been tough going for us,” said RHS head coach Nik Tower. “We show flashes of brilliance, but we have to put it all together.”

The Patriots have a busy week. After traveling to Beverly Monday, they host Lynn English today (Wednesday) and trek to Marblehead Friday. They entertain Saugus next Tuesday.

Field hockey team playing hard, improving

Although the Revere High field hockey team has yet to break into the win column through its first six games, RHS head coach Erin Parker sees plenty of good signs which should bode well for her squad as the season progresses.

“I am optimistic about the season,” said Parker. “The girls are put in a difficult position where they start playing their freshman or sophomore year and are playing against schools that have middle school programs.

“That being said, I think they have been working hard to develop their skills to play with these teams.  I believe I am coaching the most skillful team that Revere has seen in several years,” added the coach.

The 2012 Lady Patriots are led by a trio of captains, Logan DiCarlo, Leanne Rizzo, and Meiling Theng. DiCarlo  has recently been moved to the center back position, but can also play midfield.

“Logan is our purest athlete and is the center of our defense,” noted Parker. “She leads by example.  Erika Ronga (forward) and Noelle McDonald (midfield) are our strongest offensive players and I am looking to them to get on the scoreboard soon.  Amanda McCarthy keeps the goal for us and has been great.  She has seen over 100 shots already this season.”

Taylor O’Neil has scored the only goal of the year thus far against Gloucester. Revere’s best game came against Everett, a 1-0 loss in which the Lady Patriots outshot their opponent 23-5 and out-cornered them 16-3.

Parker and her squad traveled to Marblehead Monday and hosted Saugus yesterday (Tuesday). They entertain Peabody next Tuesday.

Rocky road for girls cross country

The Revere High girls cross country team trekked into Lynn Woods last week where they took on Beverly (and were scheduled to face Lynn English as well, but English does not have a team this seasons) and learned why the Lynn Woods course has a notorious reputation among for cross country runners.

“There were a few scrapes and falls on the course and some of the girls got lost,” said RHS head coach Katie Sinnott. “Those who got lost did their best to try and get back on track and complete the race.  There were a few confused faces and several ice packs on the bus ride home.”

Although the Revere girls came up short against Beverly, Sinnott was pleased with her team’s effort.

“Beverly is typically a very strong team and this year is no exception,” noted Sinnott. “I was extremely proud of both Nikki Nelson and Caitlyn Caramello, who each met a goal of finishing within the top 10 against Beverly. That in an of itself is an accomplishment.”

Results for the Lady Patriots were as follows:

Nikki Nelson   7th overall   22:29

Caitlyn Caramello   10th overall   25:28

Trisha Cheever   13th overall   26:03

Alanna Pasco   14th overall   26:05

Maggie DiPlatzi   20th overall   27:02

Rayana Benzahora   23rd overall   28:29

Hayley Mangino   24th overall   28:53

Aouli Labeche   26th overall   28:57

Also finishing the race were these Lady Patriots, some of whom were among those who missed a race marker: Jennifer Dandrow, Ghizlane Benzerdjeb, Monica Reyes, Alessandra Sabella, Evelyn Bonilla, Jessica Ventura, Dakota Deluca, Michelle Vargas, Francesca DeRosa, and Meloee Nazaire.

Sinnott and her large contingent of Lady Patriots host Marblehead tomorrow (Thursday).

Middle School cross country impresses in opening meet at Salem

The Revere middle school cross-country teams, composed of students from the Rumney Marsh Academy and Susan B. Anthony Middle School, competed in their first official meet at Forest Park in Salem on Wednesday.

Both the junior Patriots boys’ and girls’ teams came out on top, while the winners both set course records on Salem’s 1.27 mile course.

The Revere boys team was able to take the top three spots in the race. Michael Mangino (7:15) led the team to victory with Anthony DelVecchio (7:17) and David Diaz (7:43) close behind. The boys were victorious by just four points (26-30), with the help of the rest of the top seven: Dayven Diaz (9:07), Ryan Mangino (9:16), Christian Acuna (9:22), and Robert Neary (9:32), all of whom had strong performances.

On the girls’ side, it was not quite as close, with Revere topping Salem, 19-40. Vanessa Puopolo (8:21) cruised to an easy victory, while Victoria Correia (9:00) came in second. With just a couple of Salem runners interspersed between the top seven for Revere, other girls who had notable races were Deuna Langat (9:11), Nicole Paddock (9:19), Tia Fichera (9:35), and Rania Bensadok (9:40). A particularly impressive finish was had by Rim Bensadok (10:48) as she was roughed up and pushed off of the course at the hectic start, yet managed to get back in the race to finish by rounding out the top seven.

The team will compete at Beverly in their second meet of the year this week.