The Chelsea High football team bounced back from two disappointing early-season losses with an impressive 42-0 victory over Commonwealth Conference Large School opponent Greater Lowell on Saturday. “We had a great week of practice, so we were ready to play the type of game to showcase the kind of team we are,” remarked Mike Stellato, the Red Devils head coach in his fifth year. Senior captain Troy Crossley, who had scored on a 65-yard run and a 70-yard TD reception in the previous week’s 14-12 loss to Brighton High, once again led the offensive charge. Crossley accumulated 120 yards on 16 carries for a 7.5 yards per carry average and scored the Red Devils’ first touchdown on a one-yard run in the opening quarter. Juan Martinez’s successful extra point gave Chelsea a 7-0 lead; Martinez would finish the day a perfect 6 for 6 on PAT attempts.
Chelsea’s offense exploded in the second quarter, scoring three touchdowns to build a commanding 28-0 halftime advantage. Martinez added a one-yard scoring run to make it 14-0, and quarterback Jordan Virella (5 for 9 passing for 95 yards and two TDs) threw touchdown passes of 22 and 17 yards to his favorite receiver Sammy Mojica, who caught all of Virella’s successful TD passes on the day.
The Red Devils’ defense took center stage after halftime. When Greater Lowell drove into Chelsea territory in the third quarter, defensive tackle Kevin DeJesus stripped a Greater Lowell running back at the 10 yard line, recovered the fumble, and raced 90 yards for a touchdown, an impressive display of speed for the 5-9, 180 pounder. DeJesus recorded two fumble recoveries overall. Whitney Santil, a defensive back credited with six tackles, and middle linebacker Brayan Blanco also made significant defensive contributions. Junior fullback Joseph Saez capped the scoring with a 20 yard run in the fourth quarter, resulting in the final 42-0 score.
“We played a great game on both sides of the ball and in all aspects of the game,” said Stellato, expressing satisfaction with the performance. “The team has been improving with each successive game and we’ll be looking to keep our momentum going each and every week.” The Red Devils will face Mystic Valley this Saturday at Malden Catholic High field, with kickoff scheduled for 2:00 p.m.