Page 10 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, September 26, 2025 UNSTOPPABLE: Malden’s Jayden McGuffie (255 yards, 2 TDs) has Somerville’s number...AGAIN! Sophomore star leads Golden Tornado Football in home, GBL opener, 14-12 By Steve Freker I t is often said that if a sports figure seems to have a big game versus a certain opponent, then it means they “have their number.” When Malden High sophomore running back Jayden McGuffie is “on,” it does not really matter the name of the opponent. On those nights, he has EVERYONE’S number. That said, after last Thursday night’s 14-12 home-opening victory over Greater Boston League (GBL) rival Somerville, no one would argue that the 5-10, 180 Golden Tornado wrecking ball has the Highlanders’ “number.” McGuffie churned out a whopping 255 yards and 2 TDs on 18 carries to lead Malden (1-1, 1-0 GBL) to the victory. This was the second consecutive year McGuffie has “had Somerville’s number.” Last season, in a breakout game for the young Malden High star, McGuffie opened eyes all around the state when he exploded for a school record 6 touchdowns (and 2 conversion runs) in a wild, 42-40, 4-OT loss for Malden on the road at Dilboy Stadium. In that loss, McGuffie ran for another school record 342 yards on just 15 carries. He also scored a touchdown via a reception for 414 total scrimmage yards. All told, in two games, 2024 & 2025: 32 carries, 597 yards, 8 TDs and 3 conversion runs (54 points in 2 games!). The victory evened Malden’s season record at 1-1 overall (1-0 GBL) and started the Golden Tornado squad off right in its pursuit of its first GBL football crown since the 2015 season. “[McGuffie] had a slow game last week, but this week he got right back on track against a MALDEN 14, SOMERVILLE 12 Malden 6 8 0 0-14 Somerville 0 6 6 0-12 First quarter MAL: Jayden McGuffie, 66-yard run (kick failed). Second quarter SOM: Jojo Flores, 18-yard run (rush failed). MAL: McGuffie, 6-yard run (McGuffie rush). Third quarter SOM: Ryan Louis, 51-yard (rush failed). Fourth quarter No scoring *** MALDEN FOOTBALL 2025 SCHEDULE Fri., 9/12, Lynn Tech 27, Malden 14 Thurs., 9/18, Malden 14, Somerville 12 Thurs., 9/25, Malden v. Northeast, 6 p.m. Sat., 10/4, Malden at Lynn Classical, 5 p.m. Thurs., 10/9, Malden v. Lynn English, 6 p.m. Thurs., 10/16, Malden v. Chelsea, 6 p.m. Fri., 10/24, Malden at Revere, 6 p.m. Thurs., 10/30, Malden v. Whittier, 6 p.m. Week of 11/7, Playoff or Consolation Week of 11/14, Playoff or Consolation Thurs., 11/27, Malden at Medford, 10 a.m. 138th Thanksgiving Day Classic Malden High junior Josh Bly (4) makes a tackle on Somerville’s Jojo Flores. Bly led the night with 10 tackles on the game. (Advocate Photo/Henry Huang) team [Somerville] that was averaging 40 points a game,” said Malden High 5th-year Head Coach Witche Exilhomme. “It was a big night for him.” Malden struck first when McGuffie busted loose for a 66-yard touchdown run on Malden’s second possession for a 6-0 lead with 2:02 left in the first quarter. The PAT kick was no good and the score stayed the same. Somerville’s Jojo Flores led an immediate rally for the Highlanders, and he scored on an 18yard run, bringing the game to a 6-6 tie on Somerville’s second possession. Malden, which had a great night over offensively, churning out close to 400 yards of total offense, was led by McGuffie, who made runs of 10, 11 and 14 yards to boost the attack. Malden senior QB and captain Billy Gavin connected with senior receiver Manny Perez on a 15-yard pickup for the second completion of the night for a first-and-10 on the Somerville 9-yard line with just 2:43 left in the first half. With just 1:48 left in the half, McGuffie would once again deliver, busting through with a 6-yard TD run to put Malden ahead 12-6. A two-point conversion by — who else — McGuffie, behind a strong block from 6-3, 260 senior fullback Colin Okoth gave Malden a 14-6 lead at halftime. Malden picked up where it left off in the second half, driving the ball down the field on McGuffie runs, but Somerville stiffened, caused a fumble, recovered it and was back in business at midfield. Two plays later, Who knew Malden assistant coach Joe Armstrong could get up THAT high to celebrate a big catch with senior receiver and captain Manny Perez? (Advocate Photo/Henry Huang) Somerville’s Ryan Louis shocked the stadium when he rocketed to a 51-yard touchdown run. This brought the deficit to 14-12, but the Malden defense rose to the occasion and stuffed the Highlanders’ two-point conversion. It turned out to be the winning play of the night. Along with McGuffie’s prodigal effort for the second year in a row against a familiar opponent, Malden’s defense was parMalden sophomore Shawn Sekamwa (24) tackles Somerville’s Ryan Louis as senior Ismail Elbahlawan (52) gets ready to finish off the play. (Advocate Photo/Henry Huang)
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