Page 12 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, October 24, 2025 ‘HOME, SWEET HOME’: ‘New’ Chelsea slugs it out before Malden delivers for Homecoming Game win, 22-8 McGuffie runs for 148 yards, 3 more TDs, 2 Conversions on ‘Pink Out’ Night By Steve Freker D espite the solid competition, it was still “Home, Sweet Home” for Malden High football in its Homecoming Game at friendly Macdonald Stadium on October 16 against Chelsea. Call them the “new and improved” Chelsea Red Devils Football Team. They certainly do NOT just show up anymore and become cannon fodder for their GBL opponent of the week. Red Devils Football has been competitive in every game they’ve played this year but one, and at 2-4 overall, could easily be at .500 with a couple of one-score losses. The Malden High School Golden Tornado squad found this out up close and personal Thursday night when they had to scratch, claw and battle just about to the end of the game for a 22-8 victory, the Blue and Gold’s second (24) of the year. In addition to being the Homecoming Game, it was also “Pink Out” Night for Malden High Football, as the fans, cheerleaders, players and coaches recognized October as Breast Cancer Awareness Month. The MHS Golden Tornado Club — the booster club for MHS Athletics — sponsored “Pink Out” Night, as it has Malden’s other Theme Night. It was another big night for sophomore star running back Jayden McGuffie, which made the difference. McGuffie ran for 148 yards on 17 carries, scored all three Malden touchdowns and also two extra point conversions for 22 more points. For the season, the 5-10, 180 lb. dynamo now has 11 TDs and seven conversions for a whopping 91 points, second in all of MIAA Division 3 Football. Malden’s defense played solid all game long against a team that has averaged 22 points a game — its best showing offensively in years. Notable guys on “D” for Malden were senior Matt Candelario Da Costa, a two-year starter at cornerback, junior defensive back Josh Bly, linebacker and senior captain Kenny Melgar Turcio, senior edge rusher Colin Okoth and linebacker Ismail Elbahlawan. Candelario Da Costa had his best game of the season with 7 tackles, 2 assists and a pass deflection. “Defensively, we finally put together 4 quarters of football, something we have been missing earlier this season,” said 5thyear Malden Head Coach Witche Exilhomme. “In other games this year it has been frustrating when we play well and get stops defensively in one half and then, for whatever reason, let down HARD TO STOP: Jayden McGuffie (2) was once again hard to stop against Chelsea, with 3 more touchdowns. in the other half.” Not on this night. Chelsea scored one TD on the evening — late in the first half — and Malden, playing “bend but don’t break” at times, did not allow any more scores. The two teams battled scoreless in the first quarter — trading turnovers via lost fumbles — before each squad broke through with a touchdown, both coming within the final three minutes of the first half. McGuffie scored his first of three TDs with 3:31 left to play in the first half, jetting around the left end off a great block by sophomore tight end J.J. Scott, ‘MATT PATROL’: Malden High senior Matt Candelario Da Costa (3) upends Chelsea quarterback Jayden Hernandez (7). Candelario Da Costa led Malden with 10 tackles in the Greater Boston League win. (Advocate Photo/Henry Huang) Josh Bly (4) gives a stiff arm to Chelsea defender Leandro Castro in the GBL matchup. (Advocate Photo/Henry Huang)
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