After falling short in two hard fought contests in their first two games of the season, the Chelsea High football team let it all hang out in a 42-0 runaway triumph over Commonwealth Conference Large School rival Greater Lowell Saturday.
“We had a great week of practice, so we were ready to play the type of game to showcase the kind of team we are,” said CHS head coach Mike Stellato, who is in his fifth year at the helm of the Red Devils.
Chelsea senior captain Troy Crossley, who the week before scored a pair of electrifying touchdowns on a run of 65 yards and a TD pass reception of 70 yards in a 14-12 loss to Brighton High, once again was a workhorse for the Red Devils, gaining 120 yards on 16 carries, a nifty 7.5 yards per carry average.
Troy also scored the initial Red Devils touchdown in the opening quarter on a run from one yard out for a 7-0 lead after the successful kick by Juan Martinez, who was a perfect 6 for 6 on the day in the PAT department.
The Red Devils broke the game open in the second frame with three TDs to take a commanding 28-0 advantage into the locker room. First, Martinez busted through on a one yard run to make it 14-0, and then quarterback Jordan Virella (an efficient 5 for 9 passing for 95 yards and two TDs) connected on a pair of TD passes of 22 and 17 yards to favorite target Sammy Mojica, who was the recipient of all of Virella’s successful pitches on the day.
Although the Red Devil offense did not have its way quite as easily after the intermission, the Chelsea defense stepped into the spotlight to ensure that Greater Lowell would not climb back into the game.
With Greater Lowell having driven deep into Red Devil territory in the third period, defensive tackle Kevin DeJesus stripped a Greater Lowell running back of the ball at the CHS 10 yard line, grabbed the pigskin, and scampered the full 90 yards to pay dirt in quite a show of speed by the 5-9, 180 pounder. DeJesus enjoyed a banner day on defense, accounting for two fumble recoveries.
Also playing key roles on the defensive side of the ball in the victory were defensive back Whitney Santil, who was credited with six tackles, and middle linebacker Brayan Blanco.
Chelsea finished off the scoring thanks to a 20 yard rumble by junior fullback Joseph Saez in the final quarter to account for the 42-0 finale.
“We played a great game on both sides of the ball and in all aspects of the game,” said a pleased Stellato. “The team has been improving with each successive game and we’ll be looking to keep our momentum going each and every week.”
Stellato and his Red Devils will take on Mystic Valley this Saturday at the Malden Catholic High field. Kick off is 2:00 p.m.