Saugus succumbs to Cambridge Rindge & Latin in 21-14 season opener

By Dom Nicastro

The Saugus High School football team opened its season with a hard-fought 21-14 loss to Division 2 playoff contender Cambridge Rindge & Latin on Friday night, Sept. 13. Despite a strong first-half performance, the Sachems were unable to hold off a second-half surge by the Falcons.

Saugus showcased a promising start, powered by senior running back Cody Munafo’s two touchdowns. The Sachems controlled the clock with two impressive, time-consuming drives. The first drive consumed eight minutes over 80 yards, culminating in a crucial fourth-and-goal situation. Munafo punched the ball in from two yards out, giving Saugus an early lead.

Capitalizing on momentum, Saugus executed a clever two-point conversion. A direct snap to kicker Connor Bloom caught the Falcons off guard, allowing Bloom to connect with sophomore tight end Paxton Ferraro in the end zone. The successful trick play put the Sachems ahead 8-0.

“Our first drive was an eight-minute march down the field,” Saugus Head Coach Steve Cummings said. “We ran a little trick two-point play we’ve been working on all week, and it paid off.”

The Sachems’ second possession mirrored the first, this time with a seven-minute drive. Munafo found the end zone again, this time on a 10-yard run, extending the lead.

Saugus entered halftime up 14-7, displaying confidence on both sides of the ball. However, the second half told a different story. The warm, humid night took its toll on the Sachems, many of whom play both offense and defense. Fatigue and cramps began to set in, affecting performance.

“In the second half, the humidity got to us,” Coach Cummings said. “We had guys cramping and playing 90 to 100 snaps. We just couldn’t find that extra gear to finish the game off.”

Cambridge Rindge & Latin capitalized on Saugus’s fatigue, scoring twice in the second half to secure the victory.

Despite the loss, Coach Cummings remained optimistic about his team’s effort and the experience gained by younger players. “We had a lot of guys playing major varsity minutes for the first time,” he said. “I’m really proud of the effort the guys gave. They fought and battled against a bigger Division 2 playoff team.”

Defensively, the Sachems had standout performances from underclassmen. Freshman defensive end Jay Arnett was a force, recording two sacks and multiple pressures before leaving the game due to cramps.

“They were having a really hard time blocking him,” Cummings said of Arnett. “He was tremendous for us all night.”

Sophomore defensive end Paxton Ferraro also made significant contributions, including several batted-down passes and strong edge containment. “Paxton played every single rep on defense,” Cummings added. “He did a nice job setting the edge and showed quality play from a young guy.”

Senior Wilderson Lafortune anchored both the offensive and defensive lines, showcasing his versatility and endurance throughout the game.

Looking ahead, Saugus aims to regroup and address the challenges faced in the opener. Coach Cummings acknowledged the need to manage player fatigue more effectively. “As a coaching staff, we have to find ways to spell guys a little bit more,” he said. “We need to get them off the field here and there so we can be fresh in the fourth quarter.”

The Sachems will travel to Wilmington for a non-league matchup on Friday, September 20, at 6 p.m. Wilmington, a Division 5 team with playoff appearances in the past two seasons, presents another challenging opponent. “We have to go over there and find a way to beat a good football team,” Cummings said. “They’ve got a good program, and their coach does a really good job catering his play calls to the talent he has.”