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By Mike Flanagan
Hometown Weekly Sports Editor
A bye following a loss is never fun. After dwelling on their heartbreaking 14-13 defeat to rival Natick on October 4 for the last two weeks, the Wellesley High School football team returned to the gridiron on Saturday at Darcey Memorial Field against Brookline, motivated to respond accordingly - and did just so.
The Raiders (5-1, 4-1) dominated from the very get-go, blowing the doors off of the Warriors (1-5, 0-5) with a resounding 35-0 victory.
Senior captain and quarterback Matt Maiona hooked up with James Dolan for a 34-yard touchdown on Wellesley’s opening series to give the Raiders a 7-0 lead with 4:35 to play in the opening quarter. After the defense forced a three-and-out, Maiona hooked up with junior wideout Anthony Perez for a 58-yard touchdown connection to double Wellesley’s lead to 14-0 with 2:19 to play in the quarter.
Wellesley’s defense forced a short punt to set up Maiona and the offense with a short field with the chance to go ahead by three scores. Senior Matt Segel rushed one in from 11 yards out on the first play of the second quarter to make it a 21-0 game with 11:49 remaining in the half.
Holt Fletcher (53) and Anthony Cristoforo (62) celebrate with teammate Matt Segel (28) following a second quarter touchdown.
The Raiders forced another punt on Brookline’s next possession, taking over inside the 40. Senior Henry Gear rushed the ball in from 33 yards out a wide receiver sweep on the first play of the ensuing series to make it 28-0. Carl Callahan intercepted a pass on the first play of Brookline’s ensuing series to immediately set up the Raiders inside the red zone with the chance to put the game away. Sophomore running back John Marvan rushed for a 22-yard touchdown on the second play of the possession to put Wellesley ahead 35-0 with 7:07 to play in the half.
Wellesley took their 35-point lead into halftime and chewed the remainder of the clock in the final two quarters to prevail with the 35-0 victory.
The Raiders will look to conclude the regular season on a winning note when the Raiders travel to Framingham on October 25.
For funny and incisive sports analysis, follow Mike Flanagan on his personal Twitter and Instagram @flano0.
