Going into last Friday night’s game with undefeated Lynnfield, the Chelsea High football team knew it had to play very well in order to have a chance to come away with a victory.
However, what the Red Devils had not counted upon was a combination of wind and rain that essentially grounded their passing attack and made for playing conditions that left to Fate the degree to which turnovers would decide the final outcome.
By the time the final whistle had blown, the scoreboard showed the visitors from Route 1 North with a 28-0 margin of victory.
“We had hoped that the weather conditions might affect them more than us,” said CHS head coach Mike Stellato. “But our passing game, which has been a key for us all season, was non existent and we simply could never get anything going offensively.”
Indeed, the Red Devils managed just four first downs on the night and committed some costly turnovers that handed Lynnfield some easy scoring opportunities
After Lynnfield took the opening kickoff and marched 65 yards for a TD and a 6-0 lead, the first key turnover occurred when a Red Devil ballcarrier fumbled the ball on Chelsea’s first play from scrimmage, setting up Lynnfield at the Chelsea 10. Three plays later, the Devils suddenly were in a 14-0 hole.
Although the CHS defense played well the rest of the way and created its own turnover opportunities, recovering two Lynnfield fumbles and making an interception, the CHS offense was unable to generate any momentum.
Lynnfield put the game away in the third quarter when the snap on a Chelsea punt attempt went awry and gave Lynnfield the ball at the Red Devil 10, enabling Lynnfield to increase its lead to 22-0. A 55 yard drive in the fourth quarter accounted for the 28-0 finale.
“Overall I was pleased with how our defense played,” said Stellato. “We made four stops on fourth down and basically clamped down on them after their first long drive.”
The coach in particular cited the play of defensive lineman Kevin DeJesus (five tackles, three assists, and a fumble recovery), defensive back Troy Crossley (four tackles, four assists, a fumble recovery, and an interception), and defensive back Hector Rivera (four tackles, one assist) for their efforts against Lynnfield.
Stellato and his crew, who now stand at 2-4 on the season, will seek to get back on the winning track Saturday at Minuteman Tech of Lexington, a rival in the Commonwealth Athletic Conference’s Small Division. Kickoff time is at 12:00 noon.