The Malden High football team have had an up and down start their season so far. Under the leadership of their new head coach, Bill Manchester, the Golden Tornadoes have started the season with a 2-3 record. However, despite the record saying otherwise, it seems that the Tornadoes have turned their season around after an underwhelming start.
Starting the season 0-3, after losses against Methuen, Peabody, and Malden Catholic, the Tornadoes looked to turn their season around. They got that chance on September 30th, where they hosted their GBL rivals Somerville at Macdonald stadium. The previous week they had lost a close game against their city rivals, the Malden Catholic Lancers. With the game on the line and their offense being positioned in the redzone, the Tornadoes were stopped by the Lancer defense from tying the game. This had resulted in Malden High to lose the last two games by just a touchdown.
However, the Tornadoes’ season finally got going after the game against Somerville. Just like the week before, the Tornadoes were in another close game against their opponent. With less than five minutes left, Malden were leading 19-13, but Somerville were driving and threatening to tie the game and take the lead. However on second down and two, Somerville’s screen pass was jumped and intercepted by junior Marlon Cook who returned it untouched for a pick-6. This finally allowed Malden to get their first win of the season with the score of 25-19.
After the game, junior Walter Analetto reflected on the importance of their first victory of the season. He mention that “[they] finally got the taste of victory” which he feels will drive “[them to do better].” When asked about what the difference was between winning a close game down the stretch, as opposed to losing their first three games in similar situations, Analetto stated that “[he] thought that that week, [they] had the best week of practice of the season.” He continued to say that “[this] allowed [them] to not give up, and finally catch a break that [they had] been looking for all season.”
Malden followed their first win, with another victory down the stretch against Lowell the very next week. Going into the game Lowell had a 3-2 record compared to Malden’s 2-3 record. However despite the difference in record, the game was tightly contested and went to triple overtime. The Tornadoes were able to pick up the victory, thanks to a rushing touchdown from captain and junior, quarterback Jared Martino, who gave Malden a 48-42 victory in triple overtime.
When asked about the start they have had this season, captain and junior quarterback, Jared Martino responded by saying that “[they] have started this season pretty roughly but for the most part [they] have had opportunities to win each game [they] played.” However he also added that “[they] have really come together” these last few weeks and have “momentum on [their] side.”
Martino went to say that “[they] now know what it takes to win”, and hope to “make the playoffs and win the GBL” for the second year in a row.
The contrast between losing games by executing down the stretch, and winning by doing the opposite has given the Tornadoes a confidence boost heading into mid season. The team hopes to use their boosted confidence to continue winning games and build on this run.
