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Malden Catholic football trounces Peabody

Wednesday, November, 21 By Matt Williams
Sports editor

MALDEN | The Peabody High football team came into last night's first-ever "Thanksgiving Eve" showdown with Malden Catholic looking to erase a season of heartache.

It was clear after the opening drive | a 14-play, 65-yard Lancers' scoring march | that it wasn't meant to be.

It was a long night for the overmatched Tanners at misty Brother Gilbert Stadium as the Lancers emerged with a 35-7 win. Malden Catholic's offensive and defensive fronts simply overwhelmed their counterparts on the Peabody side. Senior fullback Craig Richardson | a 6-3, 230 pound battering ram | rumbled for 60 yards and two touchdowns to lead the romp.

"(Richardson) is bigger than our biggest lineman. Across the board they were heavier, bigger and stronger. The big running back, he's a force and we didn't have the size to compete with that," said first-year Tanners coach Dick Woodbury.

Peabody ended the season 1-10 and is 6-25 in the three seasons since the replacement of longtime coach Ed Nizwantowski. The recent futility marks the first time the program has posted three consecutive losing seasons since 1956-58.

Senior Chris Kerwin provided a bright spot for the Tanners, scoring his first varsity TD on a 4-yard scamper with 28 seconds left in the final quarter. An undersized (5-5, 150 pounds) team favorite, Kerwin earned a bevy of hugs and high fives when he broke the Lancers' shutout bid.

"It felt really good to stick it in (the end zone)," he said. "I have to give it everybody else on the team | especially us seniors. We worked really hard even though it didn't happen like we wanted it to."

Kerwin, who also plays lacrosse, nearly brought the Tanners back to life late in the first quarter. After Richardson's second score made it 14-0, Kerwin nearly took a short kickoff to the house. He took it through a host of defenders and cut to the sideline near midfield with nothing but grass in front of him.

"It just bounced right to me," said Kerwin. "Josh Green threw a great block and I was able to cut right off of it."

The Lancers (3-7) were able to run him down from behind, but the 50-yard return gave the Tanners great field position at the MC 18. They did nothing with it, turning the ball over on four downs. It was the closest Peabody would come to the end zone until the final minutes.

MC's Ryan Curtis broke free for a 30-yard touchdown soon after, and the Lancers' only pass of the night added to the score minutes later. Tyler James hauled in a 65-yard juggling catch despite solid coverage from Tom Ciulla as the Lancers went ahead 29-0 at the break.

Andrew Dalbec capped MC's scoring on their first possession of the second half, with the Tanners playing tough D against the Lancer reserves as time wound down.

"We were looking for something to build on. We told the kids at halftime that we wanted to win the second half and we did, 7-6," said Woodbury.

In all, the Lancers racked up 317 total yards | 267 in the first half | compared to just 82 for the Tanners. The passing game couldn't keep MC off balance with Ciulla going 1-of-8 for 11 yards with an interception. Nick Hiou was Peabody's only consistent threat with 51 rushing yards on 10 touches.

"(Malden Catholic) was agressive and they played very well," said Woodbury. "They are where we need to be, and where we're going to be next year."