Slow start dooms Pats in loss to Chieftains

  After suffering a first-round defeat in the state Div. 3 playoff tournament the week before, the Revere High School football team was still hoping to achieve a winning season in 2022. But that aspiration was denied last Thursday night at Harry Della Russo Stadium.

  The Patriots fell behind the visiting Masconomet Chieftains by three touchdowns in the first half and couldn’t recover in an eventual 34-20 loss. The setback left Revere with a 4-6 record, and with no chance of a .500 or better finish this fall.

  Trailing 21-0 in the second quarter, Sami Elasri’s one-yard TD run made it a 21-6 contest at the half. Masco would tally the next two touchdowns, one on an 80-yard kickoff return, to pretty much salt the game away.

  Elasri was responsible for Revere’s final two scores on two short rushing plays in the final quarter. He added a successful two-point conversion run.

  After being overlooked for a tournament spot last season despite going 6-2 in its first eight games and finishing 8-2 overall, Revere was awarded the 14th seed in the Div. 3 tournament with a 4-4 mark after eight games. The Patriots faced a rematch on the road with the third-seeded and unbeaten (at the time) Plymouth South Panthers back on Nov. 3.

  Revere lost to the Panthers by 15 points at Harry Della Russo Stadium back in September. But the Patriots played well in the second half of that game, outscoring Plymouth 20-7 over the final two quarters. That factor gave Revere hope for a possible first-round upset.

  It didn’t materialize, as the Patriots were defeated by a 28-6 margin. As of the early part of the second quarter, however, it appeared as if Revere may be in position to pull off a surprise win. A short TD run by quarterback Carlos Rizo brought the Patriots within 7-6 at the time. But Plymouth’s Gio Ruberio scored on a one-yard plunge to give the hosts a 14-6 lead at the half.

  The Panthers, who lost to Wakefield in last week’s quarterfinal round, scored the only two TDs of the second half. Miscues and a bad break impacted the game for the Patriots. A fumbled punt by Revere resulted in the Panthers’ first-quarter touchdown. In the third quarter, an apparent fumble recovery for a touchdown by Chris Cassidy of the Patriots was called back because the Plymouth ball carrier was ruled down by contact.

  Revere head coach Lou Cicatelli told the press the following week that the ruled non-fumble was a key turning point in the contest but that he was proud of his team hanging in and playing the Panthers tough for four quarters.

  Cicatelli credited defensive lineman Jason Shosho and defensive end Walter Rodriguez with strong performances. Shosho finished with 10 tackles. On offense, running back Abbas Attoui ran for 75 leads to lead Revere in that category.

  Revere fell to 4-6 overall with the defeat and will end the season in the annual Thanksgiving game at Winthrop next Thursday, Nov. 24. The host Vikings carry a 6-4 mark entering this year’s Turkey Day clash. The Patriots pulled out a close 16-13-win last season.