Rodriguez’s Field Goal Lifts Revere Over English, 17-14, in Overtime

Head Coach Lou Cicatelli looked at the 14-point deficit on the scoreboard at Manning Field in Lynn and didn’t like what he saw.

So Cicatelli and his coaching staff made some crucial halftime adjustments, and the second half belonged the Patriots on both sides of the ball.

After tying the game at 14-14, Revere stopped English on its first possession in overtime. English kept Revere out of the end zone on its OT possession, stopping the Patriots at the 1-yard line. But on fourth-down, Cicatelli brought on the field goal crew, and senior captain and placekicker Wilmer Mejia Rodriguez delivered with an 18-yarder through the uprights for a 17-14 victory.

“We were down 14-0 at the half, but there was no quit in the kids – I’m very proud of them,” said Cicatelli. “We made adjustments and were able to get it going and come back.  We were able to slow down the quarterback and take away their passing game. That was a big win, it really was.”

Revere High quarterback Anwar Marbouh was outstanding in the second half piloting the offense to two touchdowns. Marbouh rushed for a two-yard touchdown and connected with Rodriguez for a 13-yard TD reception. Marbouh completed 10-of-14 passes for 120 yards.

“Anwar played a marvelous football game,” said Cicatelli. “He made the throws he had to make. English was playing a 5-3 defense and dared us to throw the football. Our strength is running the football, but Anwar came out and got it done.”

English opted to have the first possession in overtime, and the Revere defense rose to the challenge. On its first two downs, the Patriots rushed the ball from the 10-yard line to 1-yard line where English stuffed the Revere offense on third down.

Rodriguez, who also had two PATs in the game, then booted the game-winning field, giving the Patriots their third consecutive victory.

“We practice a lot with our field goal unit, and it’s not only Wilmer – Anwar is the holder and Domenic Boudreau is the long snapper,” said Cicatelli. “And that whole process has been very good, and they executed the play to perfection in overtime. It was a big kick and great work by the entire team.”

Mark Marchese and Davi Barreto keyed Revere’s rushing attack, setting up the passing game for Marbouh.

Team captains Augusto Goncalves and Max Doucette were once again impressive on defense, helping Revere hold English scoreless in the second half. Cornerback Ricardo Goncalves was also immense in containing the Bulldogs’ passing attack.

Rodriguez is in his second season as a placekicker, and Cicatelli said he’s been very dependable in the assignment. “Wilmer is very accurate from anywhere from the 25-yard line out,” credited Cicatelli.

Revere (3-1) hosts Malden in a rare Thursday night game at Della Russo Stadium. Kickoff is 6 p.m.