The Magicians returned to the win column Friday with a 28-14 victory over Northeastern Conference rival Beverly, led by a strong performance by junior quarterback Sawyer Adams.
“We needed a win to keep our playoff hopes alive,” said Magicians head coach Jim Rudloff. “We’ve got to keep it going and build on what we did well this week.”
Prior to the game, a moment of silence for Owen Coyne was held following the reading of a statement by the public address announcer.
“As a football captain, a star in baseball and track and an active member of Best Buddies and many other clubs, Owen exemplified what it means to be a leader, a team mate and a friend,” read the statement. “His presence made this school a better place and the positive impact he made on our community will never be forgotten.”
Marblehead scored on the game’s opening drive, pounding their way into enemy territory before quarterback Adams fired a strike over the middle of the field to Timmy Wales who streaked 48-yards to the endzone to put the Magicians up 7-0 following a successful point after try by Finbar Bresnahan.
After the Magicians jumped offside on fourth down, the Panthers moved the chains to start a fresh series on their own 36-yard line. The visitors’ good fortune was short lived, however, as the fleaflicker attempt on first down was picked off by a lurking Trent Brown who fought his way to the goal line to convert a 48-yard pick-6.
Beverly responded with two scores in quick succession, including a 77-yard romp by junior back Stepehen Sullivan and an 18-yard reception by Jordan Dewey to tie the game at 14 just seconds into the second period.
The Magicians put together another impressive drive midway through the second, highlighted by a 40-yard reception by James Machado to put the hosts deep in the red zone, setting up Adams to run the ball in from six-yards out for his fifth rushing touchdown of the season to put Marblehead back in front 21-14.
The Magicians defensive special teams continued to wreak havoc on Beverly when Gibson Roland pounced on a muffed kickoff return to set up the offense at the opposing 20-yard line.
After gaining three yards on first down, Adams fired a pass over the middle, intended for Wales, that was deflected into the air by a Beverly defender before falling into the arms of sophomore receiver Nic Epstein who fell into the endzone to put the Magicians up two scores late in the second quarter.
After a mighty downpour arrived late in the first half, the offenses fell silent, failing to score at any time in the final 24 minutes of play.
Marblehead advances to 2-3 with their triumph over Beverly to keep their playoff hopes alive ahead of the penultimate matchup of the regular season against a powerhouse Peabody Tanners (5-1, 1-1) squad at Piper Field next Friday. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m.
