Stoneham Gains Win, But Possibly Loses DeShawn Chase

STONEHAM, Ma. - With Stoneham up, 20-10, early in the third quarter not only was it still a game, but visiting Wakefield had reason to feel good. Wakefield punter Dan Hurley had just nailed a 38-yard punt that was downed on the 1-yard line and a Stoneham offense that was missing an injured DeShawn Chase was in trouble.

Or so it seemed.

Three amazing pass plays later the Spartans had gone 99 yards to score on the way to a 28-10 win Friday. It wasn't the usual run-happy Stoneham offense but the result was the same, a demoralizing touchdown that took the air out of the Wakefield sideline.

"They were playing 10 guys at the line of scrimmage," said Stoneham coach Bob Almeida. "You have to be able to complete some passes and that was the perfect time because they never expected I would throw it there."

Almeida was referring to second-and-8 from his own 3-yard line. Quarterback Victor Fernandes dropped back and hit Jared Grossholz for a 31-yard gain that may have been the biggest play in the game. Or at least until the next pass. After Chris Dragone ran twice for 13 yards, Fernandes went to work again, hitting Michael Picciuto for a 28-yard highlight reel catch. The ball was now on Wakefield's 25-yard line. Four plays and two Stoneham penalties later, Fernandes (5-for-7, 101 yards) hit Dragone in the end zone for a 23-yard touchdown reception. Seth Russell ran in the conversion to cap a 99-yard drive that took almost six minutes.

"If you don't throw the ball, you must not be able to," said Almeida. "They're were giving us stuff. There was stuff wide open. We didn't hit everything that was wide open but we did make some plays in the passing game that were important to us."

Stoneham (2-1) began the game looking like its 2018 self. A 68-yard drive that started with a 3-yard loss for Russell ended with Chase going 31 yards for a score. After Max Davis' kick it was 7-0. But a much-improved Wakefield offense quickly responded with sophomore Aidan Sweeney (15 carries, 124 yards) scoring on a 49-yard run to make it 7-7. On the drive senior quarterback Wesley Pierre ran twice for 23 yards and completed an 8-yard pass to Sweeney.

After a Stoneham punt, Wakefield fumbled on its third play and Dragone would eventually score from 10 yards out to make it 14-7. Wakefield began the second quarter with a nice drive that ended with a 26-yard field by Hurley that cut the Warriors' deficit to 14-10. But the news wasn't all good for Wakefield in the quarter. Pierre hurt his shoulder and never played in the second half.

"We settled down defensively after the beginning because it looked like it was going to be a track meet the way the game started," said Almeida.

Stoneham used a trick play to help increase its lead. Facing fourth down, Stoneham ran a fake punt and Jake Bruno went 21 yards for a first down to Wakefield's 34-yard line. Five plays later Russell (11 carried, 84 yards) took it 16 yards for a touchdown to make it 20-10, a score that held up going into the half. The third quarter started with Wakefield's drive coming up short, and a perfect punt to the 1-yard line.

"I liked that we had to fight. They made things hard on us a lot of times. It was a great game. Coach Rafferty had his team very well prepared as I knew he would," said Almeida. "I'm disappointed we're a little banged up. It was a mash unit over here on the sidelines. DeShawn is arguably the best player in the Middlesex League. That kid's a great player and losing him really hurts and I hope it's nothing serious."

Chase spent the second half on crutches with his right ankle heavily wrapped.

With unbeaten Melrose next week, Almeida's concern is understable. As for Wakefield (1-2), the Warriors travel to Burlington.