MALDEN — Medford’s football team is back in the win column after two long years, and it’s only fitting it came in a dogfight with its longtime rival.
It came with no shortage of suspense, either.
In the 133rd edition of its typical Thanksgiving matchup with Malden on Saturday, a lead built by a charged passing game dwindled to a final opportunity for the Golden Tornadoes to at least tie it in the final minute. Yet, down three points and driving deep into Medford territory, Malden couldn’t capitalize, missing a 37-yard field goal try as the Mustangs held on for a 24-21 Greater Boston League win.
Senior quarterback Aidan Barry was instrumental in the win with over 300 total yards and four total touchdowns to help Medford (1-2) end a 14-game losing streak.
“We battled the whole way, that’s two big traditions going at it,” said Mustangs head coach John Curley. “It’s been a long time coming for this program. These kids have been hungry.”
Said Barry, “It feels amazing, we’ve been waiting so long for this. Our guys work so hard every day and we’ve been waiting for this for a while. … We’ve played these guys a lot. We play them on Thanksgiving, but it tastes even sweeter.”
Behind an array of screen passes and timely downfield strikes, Medford didn’t have much issue moving the ball. Barry was 19-for-25 for 202 yards and two touchdowns, largely benefiting from Alvin Legros (7 receptions, 85 yards, TD) and Isaiah Blake (5 receptions, 57 yards) in the flat.
That culminated into an opening drive 10-yard TD completion to Legros to get the Mustangs on the board first. And after Malden quickly answered with a 4-yard TD run from Giovani Memeus for a 7-6 lead, Medford took the lead for good when Barry showed off his running ability (108 rushing yards, 2 TDs) with an 11-yard scoring run.
Minutes later, Medford kept in rhythm by marching 75 yards in the two-minute drill to take an 18-7 halftime lead off a 14-yard TD pass to Dominick Terranova.
“We thought we could beat them on the offensive line and I feel like we did that,” Barry said. “Our slot (receivers), they get the ball and they’re out of there fast.”
Malden wouldn’t go down easy, relying on Memeus fresh out of the half to power a long drive. Memeus (63 yards, 2 TDs) took nine carries for 51 yards in the drive alone, re-igniting the offense with an 11-yard run to cut the deficit to 18-14.
Barry responded with a wild 53-yard TD scamper out of the pocket, but a couple of defensive stops by the Golden Tornadoes (0-1) kept them in it.
One forced punt led to a 32-yard TD pass from Shawn Bartholomew to Nelson Monosiet and a 24-21 deficit, and then Malden forced a turnover on downs with 2:36 left to get the ball back at its own 34-yard line. Bartholomew helped drive it to the Medford 23, but a costly holding penalty ultimately led to the 37-yard field goal attempt from Ronald Juarez.
The kick had the distance, but it just barely missed left.
MEDFORD 24, MALDEN 21
Medford (1-2) 6 12 6 0 – 24
Malden (0-1) 7 0 14 0 – 21
ME – Alvin Legros 10 pass from Aidan Barry (run failed)
MA – Giovani Memeus 4 run (Ronald Juarez kick)
ME – Barry 11 run (pass failed)
ME – Dominick Terranova 14 pass from Barry (pass failed)
MA – Memeus 11 run (Juarez kick)
ME – Barry 53 run (kick failed)
MA – Nelson Monosiet 32 pass from Shawn Bartholomew (Juarez kick)
