MARBLEHEAD – The Marblehead Magicians (8-0) scored a touchdown in each quarter to earn a 28-14 win over the Wakefield Warriors (3-5) in the opener of the MIAA D4 playoffs.
Marblehead was once again led on offense by quarterback Andy Clough (5 carries for 75 yards, 7/9 for 143 yds, 1 TD, 1 INT passing) who capped off an 11 play, 55 yard touchdown drive with a 17 yard run with 2:29 left in the first quarter. Trailing 7-0, Wakefield came right back with a 14 play, 61 yard scoring drive as Bob Young scored from 5 yards out with 7:23 remaining in the half.
The Magicians went out in front 14-6 with just over 5 minutes left in the half as TIm Cronin ran it in from 6 yards out. Phelan Tinti-Kane, who was perfect on PATs all night, kicked the extra point.
In the third quarter, Clough hit Derek Marino with a 47 yard touchdown pass that gave the Magicians a 21-6 lead before Wakefield bounced right back again. Dan Marinaccio punched it in from 2 yards out to bring the Warriors to within 7 with Wakefield adding the 2 pointer to make it 21-14.
With Wakefield threatening with a 1st down at the Magicians 10 yard line in the 4th quarter, Marblehead pushed the ball back outside the 20 dropping quarterback Mike Lucey (9/17 for 64 passing) for consecutive sacks. Wakefield had to give it up on downs.
Clough finished off the scoring with just over a minute left in the game when he scooted 45 yards to make it 28-14, Marblehead.
Marblehead outgained Wakefield, 309 to 172.
