The Marblehead Magicians (2-5, 1-2) will miss the playoffs for the first time under head coach Jim Rudloff after falling 28-20 to the Masconomet Chieftains (3-5, 3-1) at Piper Field on Friday night. Rudloff has been coaching in Marblehead since 2009.
Masco jumped out to an early lead after forcing the Magicians three-and-out on the game’s opening drive when sophomore Jett Fabiano ran around the end of the line for a six-yard rushing touchdown midway through the first quarter.
Marblehead’s Bailey Finkle returned the ensuing kickoff 73 yards to the Masco 18-yard line but, for the fourth time in two games, a Magician ballcarrier fumbled the football on the first play of the drive, setting up the Chieftains 1st-and-10 at their own 22.
CURRENT PHOTOS / LUCA TEDESCO
After the turnover, Masco put together a methodical five minute drive capped off by a 28-yard run from Fabiano to go up 14-0 following the successful point after try.
Marblehead would pull out some trickery on their second possession, executing a well-drilled fake punt that saw Marcus Waitekus give the home side their first first down of the evening. The excitement was short-lived, however, as the Masco defense picked off Sawyer Adams to take over in Marblehead territory on the very next play.
The Chieftains would triple-up on Marblehead early in the second quarter with Cruz Zizza connecting with junior receiver Trip Weidman who found the goal line on a second chance dive for the pylon to give the visitors a three-score advantage.
Already in desperation mode, the Magicians responded in short order with a score of their own when Sawyer Adams found Finkle on a go route for a 63-yard touchdown.
With newfound momentum, Marblehead’s defense sprang into action and forced a three and out that, following a short punt, saw the offensive platoon set up in strong field position.
James Machado nearly reached the goal line on the drive, but was downed at the 1-yard line. After Marblehead was called for movement before the snap, Adams called his own number and juked his way to the end zone to bring Magicians within a score late in the half.
After another short punt, Marblehead found itself in good field position with just under three minutes to play before the halftime gun. However, after reaching the red zone, the drive stalled out near the opposing 10-yard line and was put to rest by the Chieftain defense to send the game to halftime with the Magicians down 21-14.
Masconomet put together a near flawless drive late in the third, marching 49 yards to the endzone capped by a quarterback sneak to put the visitors back ahead by two scores.
Marblehead followed up the drive with a score of their own, this time from James Machado who took a serpentine path to the goal line on a screen pass from Adams to come within eight points of tying the game, but the score held at 28-20 following an unsuccessful kick.
After Marblehead forced a turnover on the doorstep of the end zone, their drive that began at the one-inch line fizzled out just past the 25.
A short punt gave Masco possession with just under six minutes to play. Rather than going for a killshot score, the Chieftains played the final minutes at a snail’s pace to secure the victory and punch their ticket to the MIAA Division 3 state tournament.
Marblehead will play three more games to close out the season, including two non-playoff bowls and the Thanksgiving morning classic against Swampscott.
