Sports 11-26-2015

From the Press Box sponsored by: Winthrop book depot

The Game

By: Jim Lederman

The Winthrop – Revere rivalry dates back to 1913. This year marks game number 85. The Vikings lead the series (55-28-01) – (27-3-last 30 years).

The Vikings (4-6) face a Revere team (7-3) shooting for the third best record in Patriots history. Coach Sean Driscoll calls ‘the game’, “A one game championship.” We are healthy and we hope to upset the Patriots playing in the new Harry Della Russo Stadium.”

Revere has a very talented quarterback, Captain Dan Murphy (5’9–165) has completed (65-111, 1,032 yards) his running has posted 9 touchdowns.

The pressure is on the Vikings linebackers, Justin Barker, Jonathan Vandalinda and Jon Gonzales, to stop Murphy who leads a Revere offense that has scored 257 points (25.7) in 10 games – he holds the key to a Revere win!

Junior Victor Rivera (number 5) a (5/7-137) junior halfback, has rushed (74 for 883 yards), a healthy (11.9) average. He can fly, he must be shut down!

Murphy has rushed (85-757) good for a (8.9) average. Oscar Lopez, (6’0-193) is the leading receiver. The junior has 34 catches for 535 yards.

The Revere offense is explosive and the Vikings must stop the ‘big play’ that has led to 7 Patriot victories.

The Patriots hosted the playoff game with Danvers at Harry Della Russo Stadium. The Falcons shut out Revere (7-0); Danvers lost the D3 North final to undefeated Melrose (24-7). The Patriots lost to Beverly (703) (38-13) and defeated Lynn English (24-6) at Harry Della Russo Stadium in their last to games.

The strength of the Revere defense is junior linebackers Eddie Sullivan, John DeSimone and senior Steve Noel (number 44). The Patriots will seek to become the team with the third most victories in RHS history. Exceeded by only the 1973 super bowl tam and the 1964 class B champion team (defeated Winthrop (8-0) The Vikings have only one loss at Della Russo Stadium in the last 15 games at Harry Della Russo Stadium (overtime in 2010)! “This will be our super bowl”, said coach Lou Cicatelli in his 14th season as head coach (2-12 vs. Winthrop). Coach ‘Cic’ played on the 1981 and 1982 Revere teams. He has over 2 victories over Winthrop!

The Beachcomber Trophy will be awarded to the w inner of the ‘Battle of the Beaches’; the Revere Rotary Club established the trophy.

The Vikings are (27-3) in the last 30 years in the rivalry. In 2014 the Vikings won (14-7) and finished (10-1) coach Sean Driscoll is  (6-2) an overtime loss in 2010 and a (13-7) loss in 2013, with quarterback Dylan Driscoll sidelined with a concussion.

The weather forecast is warm and promising, a capacity crowd will fill the new $7 million Harry Della Russo Stadium. Let’s fill Della Russo with many Viking fans!

Speaker of the House Representative Bob DeLeo, who represents Winthrop and Revere, will be my guest in the press box; the game will be taped for broadcast on Viking TV-Channel 15.

Skimming the Sidelines

Junior quarterback Chris Zuffante (44-108, 645 yards) has tossed 8 touchdown passes. Jon Gonzales is the leading rusher (64-462) in only 5 games, ‘super soph’ Jaidon Brown has (62-275) and five touchdowns. The pair can be ‘explosive’ on kickoff returns. The Vikings defense is led by senior linebacker Justin Barker with 58 tackles. He is the third member of his family to be a ‘stellar’ linebacker. His dad Jimmy was a NEC All-Star on the 1982 super bowl champions. His brother Jimmy was captain and Lynn Item All-Star linebacker, on the 2011 Vikings.

Thanksgiving Rivalries

Marblehead and Swampscott will meet in t heir 1010th game. The series is tied at (51-51 with 7 ties). The Big Blue (4-6) travels to Piper Field in Marblehead.

Gloucester and Danvers will play at the new Newell Stadium in the 69th game – The Fishermen lead the series (45-21-2_.

Saugus and Peabody (5-5) play at Coley Lee Field in Peabody. The Tanners lead the series (42-27).

Lynn Classical (2-8) and Lynn English (4-6) will play in the 110th meeting of the long-time rivalry. The Rams lead the series (54-38-9).

Salem (2-8) and Beverly (7-3) meet at Bertram Field in Salem. The Panthers lead the series (58-51-7) game number 117 on the holiday.

Turkey Day Memories

I will attend my 52nd Revere-Winthrop Thanksgiving game. Here are some of the great games I have watched.

1964 – Revere 8 Winthrop 0 – 10,000 fans packed the stadium to watch two teams, both undefeated, playing for the Class B Championship. The Patriots were led by quarterback Jim DelGaizo, who played on 2 super bowl champions in the NFL. The Vikings had the late Steve ‘the Tank’ Adamson all-scholastic halfback, w ho played at the University of Wyoming and in the Sugar Bowl. Revere fullback Billy Cintolo (Rutgers) scored the only touchdown with 2 minutes to play.

1969 – Winthrop 24 – Revere 18 – Dave Tallent Winthrop halfback scored two touchdowns. Al Petrilli was Revere quarterback and played at Boston University. (Al is my broadcast partner)) He cheers for the Vikings!

1970 – Revere 28 – Winthrop 26 – Coach Bob DeFelice’s first team (bob won 4 NEC titles and 2 super bowls) with Mark DeGregorio and Michael DeMarco, the ‘Double Dees’ led the comeback coach DeFelice’s Vikings team won 10 straight vs. Revere.

1981 – Winthrop 49 – Revere 13 – The undefeated super bowl champions “greatest WHS team (division 1 – players) establish a new WHS scoring record a meeting after the game by two football parents – set another record “Big Guy” proud man.

1989 – Revere 27 – Winthrop 26 – A Jo Jo Giordano last second field goal for Revere victory. Game played on Saturday after holiday snowstorm.

1993 – Winthrop 49 – Revere 22 – Viking super bowl team – Anthony ‘Touchdown Tony’ Palmer, scores 20 points in game. Touchdown – NEC scoring record holder (195 points).

2000 – Winthrop 28 – Revere 14 – Viking tailed Patriots (14-0) “best comeback ever” – Bobby Kneeland and Luke Guarino score two touchdowns each to lead Vikings to victory.

2014 – Winthrop 14 – Revere 7 – The NEC champions were ignited by a Zach Deeb’s 80-yard kickoff return to finish the season (10-1) – The sixth best in Vikings history! A special team – 15 seniors – coach Driscoll named Lynn Item “Coach of the year on the North Shore”. Sean Gillis named Boston Globe All-Scholastic, one of the best two-way lineman I have watched in a Viking uniform!

Crystal Ball – Pigskin Picks

Winthrop (4-6) – Revere (7-3)

Beverly (7-3) 31 – Salem (2-8) 12

Lynn English (4-6) 27 Classical (2-8) 12

Danvers 20 at Gloucester 21

Peabody (5-5) 32 at Saugus (2-8) 13

Marblehead (8-2) 34 at Swampscott (4-6) 15

*Upset Special – Vikings 25- Revere – 21

Key to the game –

*Vikings defense must stop Dan Murphy Revere quarterback – best quarterback in the NEC, He makes big plays!

*Viking linebackers – the key and a strong game from Zuffante, Gonzales and fullback Matt Tarentino.

Vikings have lost one game in Revere in 35 years!

Go Vikings Beat Revere!

Coach Defa

A ‘Coaching legend’ will be at Harry Della Russo Stadium on Thanksgiving – Coach Bob DeFelice will be cheering for the Vikings. His son Michael is Viking assistant coach. Coach DeFelice had a 33-game unbeaten steak (1981-1983) he only lost three games vs. Revere! A member of the Boston College Hall of Fame, the WHS Hall of Fame. Coach DeFelice is Bentley University Athletic Director. I played at WHS with Bob DeFelice – 57 years ago!

Condolence to the Lally Family on the loss of John Lally.  John was a halfback on the 1963 Vikings. He leaves a large family with many outstanding athletes.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Go Vikings!

Revere:

Medford

Chelsea at Classical

Gloucester at Saugus

Swampscott at Salem

0 – Danvers – 7

13- Beverly – 38

27 – Lynn English – 7

7 wins 3 losses

pts. 247

Winthrop –

0 – Danvers – 43

13 at Medfield – 33

0 – Lynn English – 25

37 – Salem – 15

40 – Saugus – 12

6 – at Swampscott – 36

27 Hamilton-Wenham – 12

34 at Amesbury – 56

7 at Gloucester – 41

4 wins – 6 losses

WHS sports through the years

10 years ago

December 1, 2005

The WHS football team, the Northeastern Conference champion, defeated Revere in convincing fashion, 35-6, on Thanksgiving Day. Despite the snow and mud, the Winthrop ground attack punished Revere for 320 yards rushing, led by Chris Dalrymple with  yards and a TD, Jason Griffin with 85 yards and two TDs, Matt Murray with 70 yards and two TDs, and Joe McDermott with 49 yards. The Vikings were set to meet Natick in the Division 2 semifinal contest the following Tuesday at Endicott College.

20 years ago

November 30, 1995

WHS head football coach Tony Fucillo lauded the heart of his Viking team after they earned a hard-fought 12-0 victory over Revere on Thanksgiving Day to conclude their season with a 6-4 record. With the Winthrop offense struggling, the Viking defense rose to the occasion to thwart Revere scoring drives. Albie Maggio scored on a four-yard run and Paul Ferrara rushed for a 10-yard score.

30 years ago

December 4, 1985

The WHS football team returned to its winning ways against archival Revere with a 14-6 victory on Thanksgiving Day. Coach Bob DeFelice’s nine-game winning streak in the series had been snapped with a 12-10 loss last year.

40 years ago

December 3, 1975

Quarterback Kevin McGee tossed three touchdown passes to captain Keith Welch, Paul Plakias, and Billy Boudrow to lead the WHS football team to a 24-0 blanking of Revere on the holiday. Running back Chris Tacelli scored a fourth Viking touchdown. The victory was the first for Winthrop on Thanksgiving Day since 1971. Capt. Welch, who also was the backbone of the Viking defense this season, received the Rotary Club’s Irving P. Alexander Trophy at a luncheon this week. At the coaches’ banquet held Sunday at the Elks Hall, seniors Ralph Marino, Al Millerick, Tacelli, and McGee, also were recognized for their contributions to the WHS football program.

50 years ago

December 1, 1965

The Winthrop High football team pulled of one of the biggest upsets in the series with archival Revere with a 14-12 triumph over the heavily-favored Revere squad on Thanksgiving Day. The Winthrop line received much of the credit for the triumph, which was played before 4500 fans at Miller Field. WHS halfback Billy Dooley enjoyed an exceptional day, scoring all of Winthrop’s 14 points while rushing for 110 yards on 18 carries. Winthrop was buoyed by the return to the lineup of 6-3, 225-pound All-Scholastic, two-way lineman Ronnie Miles. Miles, who had been out of action for the previous two weeks with a rib injury, set up the winning score with a fumble recovery at the Revere 38 yard line with Winthrop trailing at the time, 12-6. Charlie McDemott made the key play on the winning drive with a 22 yard run. Winthrop finished the year at 5-4 and Revere ended its season at 5-2-2.

60 years ago

December 1, 1955

The Winthrop High football team dropped an 18-13 decision to Danvers on Thanksgiving Day. Winthrop took an early 6-0 lead thanks to a 53-yard pass for a TD from quarterback Jim Soper to Jack MacDonald. An interception by Pat Staff set up the second Winthrop touchdown, which was scored by Soper on a quarterback sneak. MacDonald received the Rotary Club’s Irving P. Alexander Trophy at a luncheon Monday afternoon. Tackle Bill McIlroy and running back Noel “Buster” Parker were named as the co-captains for next year’s Winthrop team.

70 years ago

November 29, 1945

A heavily-underdog Winthrop High football team stunned Revere on Thanksgiving Day with a 20-12 victory. Although Winthrop managed only five first downs and had minus five yards rushing against a heavier Revere line, a punt return by Milton “Bomber” Neal for one touchdown and a 54 yard interception return by Neal to the Revere one-yard line set up another. The third Winthrop touchdown came via a trick play on an end-around option pass from Rowe to Henry Wilson that covered 75 yards. The combined total of 32 points was the most-ever scored by the two teams in the series’  history. However the contest was marred at the end by a brawl that began on the field between the players when a Revere player punched a Winthrop player and soon expanded among the fans on both sides.

80 years ago

November 30, 1935

The Winthrop High School football team defeated Revere, 14-0, on Thanksgiving, the worst defeat for  Revere this season. The win by Winthrop knocked Revere out of second place in the North Shore League and propelled Winthrop into second spot in the final standings. Leighton and Saunders scored the Winthrop touchdowns.

100 years ago

November 27, 1915

An undefeated Revere High football team met its Waterloo at the hands of the Winthrop high 11, 7-6, on Thanksgiving Day at Ingleside Park. Science and nerve counted, as the local lads possessed an ample supply of both in the contest, which is the most-coveted of the year for Winthrop. More than 1500 fans were on hand, and with all of the singing and cheering, our town was fairly rocked and bedlam almost broke out at the final whistle. The hero of the day for Winthrop was captain Bill Talcott, who picked up a Revere fumble and raced down the field for a touchdown.

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