Ending the season on a positive note, Malden High’s football team defeated the Medford Mustangs with the score of 27-22 at the Hormel Stadium. Although the Tornadoes had their struggles this season, the game against Medford was an important one with a 130 years of history behind, and a victory earned them some bragging rights against their rivals and concluded the season in a good way.
Malden controlled the game during the first and second quarters with some huge chunk plays. During the 3rd quarter however, Medford started to improve and outscored the Tornadoes, seemingly shifting all the momentum in their favor. However, with two minutes left in the fourth quarter, nearing the end of the game, Malden scored a clutch touchdown and getting them the win in the 130th meeting between the second longest high school football rivals in the country.
In the first play from scrimmage, malden scored an 80 yard touchdown to take a 6-0 lead Malden. The tremendous start to the quarter continued when senior Edouard Bazile scored another touchdown for Malden, increasing their lead 13 – 0 with 2 minutes left in the 1st quarter. Bazile ended the game with five carries for 84 yards, including that touchdown, while sophomore Wootchy Pierre Rene took five carries for 109 yards and a score himself. Before halftime however, Medford replied with a touchdown of their own reducing their deficit to only six points going into the half.
During the second half, Medford scored with five minutes remaining in the third quarter and made the score 13 – 12 Malden. Malden soon responded with a touchdown of their own, but a safety by the Mustang defence brought the scoreline to a narrow 19 – 14 lead for Malden with 2 minutes left in the game. A couple minutes left in the 4th quarters, and the score changed to 27 – 22 Malden and everybody cheering for Malden to score, the football team got a big stop on the 4th and 9. 2 minutes left remaining for the game to be over and the score still 27 – 22 Malden, the team got another stop on the 4th and 10 and the stadium was loud and Malden fans started cheering on for Malden football team to score. The time is over and with the score of 27 – 22 Malden, the Malden Tornado football team score their first and final win and this topped their season with good note for themselves.
