CHS Roundup
CHS football team explodes for 34-6 win
Last Friday evening, the Chelsea High football team achieved its first season victory in dominant fashion, overwhelming Minuteman Regional 34-6.
From the opening kickoff, the Red Devils controlled play. Chelsea wasted no time, driving 65 yards across seven plays before senior Nick Ieng punched in a five-yard touchdown run.
The Chelsea defensive unit responded impressively, forcing Minuteman into a third-and-long situation where senior Kevin Ruiz delivered a sack that resulted in a punt.
Chelsea’s offense returned to the field with renewed momentum, combining runs and passes over eight plays to cover 58 yards. Red Devil quarterback T.J. Patterson scored on a four-yard run, pushing the lead to 12-0 before the first quarter concluded.
The defensive dominance continued when senior lineman Pedro Rodriguez recovered a Minuteman fumble near midfield. Chelsea capitalized immediately, with Patterson finding Ieng on a 45-yard touchdown pass. Senior quarterback Luis Jiminez then scored the two-point conversion, extending the advantage to 20-0.
Minuteman managed two first downs on their next possession but saw senior cornerback Bryan Rivas intercept a pass, halting their momentum.
The Red Devils struck swiftly, traveling 70 yards in eight plays with Patterson connecting to Ellinson Cruz for a 37-yard touchdown. Patterson added the conversion for a 28-0 Chelsea lead.
“We were very pleased with the way we started the game. We were able to put together a few successful offensive drives, and create two turnovers,” said CHS head coach Jack Halas. “That kind of football will result in many victories.”
Chelsea continued their assault before halftime. Following a Minuteman turnover on downs, the offense engineered its fifth scoring drive of the half, advancing 44 yards in six plays. Patterson capped the drive with a spectacular 27-yard run, using his speed to beat the outside linebacker to the edge, cutting against the grain, and weaving through Minuteman defenders.
At halftime with Chelsea leading 34-0, the Red Devils eased their intensity. Minuteman finally scored late in the game with a 90-yard, 14-play drive.
“It was great for us to get our first win,” said Halas. “This was a complete team victory. The offense moved the chains, the defense made stops and created turnovers, and everybody got to contribute a piece in this victory.”
The team will host Mystic Valley Friday evening under the lights at Chelsea Stadium, with kickoff at 7:00.
“Mystic Valley is a very good football team,” said Halas, “and it will take another great team effort to get a win.”
CHS boys soccer defeats Lynn Tech
Chelsea High boys soccer improved to 9-3-2 while maintaining their undefeated Commonwealth Athletic Conference record by defeating Lynn Tech 3-1 last week.
Under head coach Mick Milutinovic, the Red Devils kept pace with Northeast Regional in the Large Division championship race. Both teams remain undefeated in league play, their only marks being mutual ties.
Kevin Valle opened the scoring midway through the first half with a penalty kick after Carlos Cartagena was fouled in the box, giving Chelsea a 1-0 advantage.
Tech equalized before halftime following a defensive lapse by the Red Devils.
Melvin Gare became Chelsea’s hero in the second half, firing two powerful shots from the top of the box at the 60 and 70 minute marks to secure the 3-1 victory.
Monday evening brought Chelsea to Everett Stadium for a rivalry matchup with the Crimson Tide, resulting in a 4-0 loss.
“Everett has an exceptionally strong team this year,” said CHS assistant coach Evan Protasowicki, of the Tide, who sport an 8-2-4 record, including two victories over Chelsea. “They’ve beaten some top Division 1 teams and figure to do well in the D-1 state tournament.”
The Red Devils’ only losses have come against D-1 powerhouses Everett and Somerville. Missing key starters Cartagena (back injury), Carlos Cruz (ankle), and keeper Angel Figueroa (shoulder), the team relied on Diego Granados in goal and other reserves. They hope to return to full strength before the post-season state tournament.
Chelsea travels to Greater Lowell today (Thursday), Greater Lawrence next Tuesday, and hosts Wachusett in the regular season finale next Thursday at 6:00.
CHS cross country teams win tri-meet
Last week, the Chelsea High boys and girls cross country teams competed in a tri-meet at Minuteman Tech in Lexington against Minuteman Tech and Northeast Regional Vocational School. Both squads returned victorious.
The Lady Red Devils narrowly defeated Northeast 26-31 and dominated Minuteman 15-50.
Sophomore Yarid Deras continued her dominance, running 18:44 over the 2.7 mile course—two minutes faster than her nearest Northeast competitor.
CHS senior captain Melanie Nguyen finished third overall in 21:06, with teammate Jocelyn Poste taking fourth in 21:39. Freshman Karina Avalos delivered her best performance of the season in sixth place, essentially clinching the Northeast matchup.
“Karina is getting better every week and making significant improvements in every meet,” said CHS head coach Don Fay. “She had a couple of girls behind her and if they had beaten her, we would have lost the meet to Northeast.” Freshman Sandra Tun sealed the girls’ victory by finishing 14th overall for Chelsea.
The Lady Red Devils hosted their final home meet yesterday (Wednesday) against Shawsheen Tech and Esssex Tech.
“It will be one last chance to improve on our times at home,” noted Fay. “Yarid will be tested by the Essex girls in this meet. They have a solid pack of runners.”
The Red Devils boys breezed through their competition, defeating Northeast 18-42 and Minuteman 16-45.
Jose Leclerc took overall honors in 15:39, with teammate Demitrius Martinez just two seconds behind. Alex Pedrero finished fourth overall in 17:21 over the 2.7 mile course, followed three seconds later by captain Adriel Cedano. Wuilfido Hernandez clinched the meet with a seventh-place finish in 17:39.
Freshman Abraham Barrientos also contributed, placing 10th overall at 18:39.
With a 3-4 league record, the CHS boys hope to win at least two of this week’s meets against Shawsheen, Lynn Tech, and Essex Aggie to finish at .500 in the Commonwealth Athletic Conference.
CHS track to hold Turkey Trot
The Chelsea High track program will host its second annual Turkey Trot 5K run/3K walk on Saturday, November 19, at 10:00 at Admirals Hill, the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
Adults pay a $25.00 entry fee, while middle and high school-age children are free. All registered runners receive a T-shirt.
The Chelsea High track program receives all proceeds.
Register at www.chelseahightrack.com.
Bruins Beat
by Bob Morello
Bruins home opener and Orr…
Tonight (Thursday) marks the 50th Anniversary week of Bruins legend Bobby Orr’s National Hockey League debut. The Boston Globe published several excellent articles recounting the memories of the Bruins’ resurgence following the Parry Sound native’s arrival. On October 19, 1996, at age 18, Orr made his actual NHL debut in the season opener against the Detroit Red Wings and their 38-year-old legend, Gordie Howe. During Boston’s 6-2 victory, Orr assisted on a goal by Wayne Connelly, earning his first NHL point before the Garden’s capacity crowd of 13,909.
Coming from the Oshawa Generals, the Bruins’ junior hockey affiliate, Orr’s arrival was highly anticipated. The Bruins had not made the playoffs in seven years, finishing at the league’s bottom in five of the previous six seasons. Though Orr joined the roster, the team again finished last, yet this marked the beginning of a legendary career and recognition as ‘the greatest defenseman of all time.’ He earned the Calder Trophy for outstanding rookie and second-team All-Star honors. During the 1970’s, Orr established league records for defensemen, particularly in the 1969-70 season when he became the only player ever to win the Norris (greatest all-round defenseman), Hart (league’s most valuable player), Ross (league scoring leader), and Smythe (playoff MVP) trophies in a single season.
The Bruins had not won a Stanley Cup since 1941 until Orr’s era began to transform the franchise. He paved the way for Stanley Cup victories in both 1970 and 1972, twice scoring the winning goal and earning playoff MVP honors. His Cup-clinching goal in 1970 remains iconic—Orr airborne in front of the St. Louis Blues’ net after receiving a pass from Derek Sanderson, depositing the puck between goalie Glenn Hall’s pads. The Bruins’ 1974 Stanley Cup final loss signaled the beginning of the end for Orr’s Boston career, with the 1975-76 season proving to be his last. Following his agent Alan Eagleson’s advice, Orr departed as a free agent in 1996, signing with the Chicago Black Hawks. Knee injuries accumulated over his career, and the 30-year-old retired in 1978 after appearing in only 26 games over three seasons. The Hockey Hall of Fame inducted Orr in 1979 at age 31, waiving the customary three-year waiting period, making him the youngest inductee at that time.
The Bruins’ ProShop powered by Reebok on Level 2 at TD Garden celebrates Orr’s 50th anniversary since joining the Bruins with his exclusive collection of hats, jerseys, jackets and more. This commemorative apparel is also available online at BostonProShop.com.
Tonight (Thursday) the Bruins drop the puck for their 2016-17 regular season opener versus the New Jersey Devils at 7:00pm on Garden ice. The Devils arrive with a record of 1-1-1 (3 points), while the Bruins carry 2-1-0 (4 points) following a recent win over the Winnipeg Jets that ended their three-game road trip. Boston’s three-game homestand continues Saturday night against division-rival Montreal Canadiens (10/22, 7:00pm) at 2-0-1 (5 points) and concludes with the Minnesota Wild (10/25, 7:00pm) at 2-1-0 (4 points) before heading to New York to face the Rangers. Potentially making their initial regular season home ice debut are newbies Austin Czarnik, Danton Heinen, Brandon Carlo, and Rob O’Gara. While not as heralded as Orr’s arrival, these youngsters will likely appreciate their first appearance before the home crowd. Patrice Bergeron and Adam McQuaid remain questionable on the injury list, as rookies Carlo and O’Gara fill the defensive hole created by Kevan Miller’s absence.
Let the games begin!