Page 14 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 14, 2021 Last-second drama: Malden just misses in 24-21 loss to Medford in Game #133 Tornados tussle with archrival goes right down to the wire as Mustangs prevail By Jason Mazzilli T he drama began from the opening bell and did not relent until a potential game-tying kick missed by just a few feet. That's how it went for the Malden High School Golden Tornado Football team in a 24-21 loss to Medford High in the 133rd Malden-Medford game. With this year's game, and others not being played, experts are saying that Malden-Medford has moved into the #1 spot for longest continuous high school football rivalry. Malden went toe-to-toe for four full quarters with Medford and at the end, both teams were still standing, but Medford was able to prevail and snap a fivegame losing streak in the rivalry. Malden has topped the Mustangs from 2015-2019. Malden had driven down to the Medford 23-yard-line with seven seconds to play in the fourth quarter, trailing, 24-21. Instead of attempting a potential final strike into the end zone, The Tornados opted to attempt a 40-yard field goal by junior placekicker Ronald Juarez. The snap and hold were fine from the center of the field, but the attempt missed left by a few feet, sending Medford into a huge celebration. "We went back-and-forth quickly but decided our best shot was to try and tie it and then fight it out in overtime," said third-year Malden head coach Steve Freker, who sustained his first Malden-Medford loss at the helm after going 2-0 in 2018 and 2019."We were confident that Ronald could hit that kick. He's one of the best kickers in the state and we felt good about the decision." On the day, the two quarterbacks for the respective teams were in the spotlight. Malden junior QB Shawn Bartholomew had his best game as a Tornado, completing 7-of-12 passes for 133 yards, including a 32-yard TD strike to junior Nelson Monosiet to cut the Medford lead to under a TD in the third quarter. Bartholomew also ran for 48 yards on 5 carries, including a 21-yard burst to the Medford 8-yard-line in the waning minute, only to have the play called back to a mega-costly holding penalty, putting the ball at the 23-yard-line. Senior quarterback Aidan Barry was instrumental in the win throwing for one TD and scoring two more. “We battled the whole way, that’s two big traditions going at it,” said Mustangs Head Coach John Curley, in an online report. “It’s been a long time coming for this program. These kids have been hungry.” Barry was 19-for-25 for 202 yards and two touchdowns, with main targets being Alvin Legros and Isaiah Blake. Medford scored on 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. Malden was stung again by a huge block from behind penalty that negated a 65-yard TD run by Memeus which would have given Malden the lead. 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. Malden wasn't going anywhere, relying on Memeus 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 zig-zagging, cross the field and back, 53-yard TD run for the 2414 lead. One forced punt led to a 32yard 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 40-yard field goal attempt from Juarez. "We played great, especially considering we only had three players out there with any varsity football experience," Coach Freker said. "We were ready for them and we played tough. Two big penalties cost us two touchdowns and it was hard to come back from that. Gio (Memeus) and Shawn (Bartholomew) played their best games ever in a Malden uniform; just outstanding leaders in the game." The Malden coach said he was grateful for all the work that went into even having the season and the game. "Our Athletic Director Charlie Conefrey, his assistant Jeanne Marquardo, our athletic trainer Jen Sturdevant and Joe Levine and Laura Perez at the Stadium and Peter Carroll with us here at the field all did a lot of work to make sure we were able to play and the players and coaches appreciate it," Coach Freker said. 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) Malden quarterback Shawn Bartholomew gets set to pass as a Mustang lineman tries to block his view. Bartholomew was usually right on target. Tornado outside linebacker Jeremiah Dessources is in hot pursuit of a Mustang runner.
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