The No. 1 Marblehead football team got off to a bit of a slow start Friday night, but the Magicians kicked things into high gear when it mattered and took home a 21-7 win over No. 16 Norwood in the first round of the Division 3 playoffs at Piper Field. With the win, the Magicians have now won a state-best 19 games in a row.
Marblehead quarterback Joshua Robertson threw for 199 yards and three touchdowns in the win, while receiver Shane Keough had two touchdown receptions. Receiver Drew Annese added a 61-yard touchdown reception in the victory.
Marblehead (9-0) will take on No. 8 Masconomet in the Division 3 quarterfinal next Friday (7). It will be a rematch of an Oct. 8 game that saw Marblehead beat the Chieftains 33-21 on the road.
FOOTBALL
Division 6 First Round
No. 5 Winthrop 35, No. 12 South Hadley 0
The Vikings kept its playoff run alive with a shutout win at Miller Field Friday night.
Running back Welvis Acosta led the way with three touchdown rushes, while quarterback Robert Noonan and running back Cam Martin each added one rushing touchdown.
Winthrop (5-4) moves on to face No. 4 Rockland in the Division 6 quarterfinal next Friday (7).
Division 8 First Round
No. 12 KIPP 40, No. 5 Manchester-Essex 21
The Panthers got revenge from a loss earlier in the season by picking up the upset win in the first round of the Division 8 playoffs at Hyland Field Friday night.
KIPP (8-1) moves on to face No. 4 Hull next Friday (7) in the quarterfinal round of the Division 8 playoffs.
No. 1 Hoosac Valley 14, No. 16 Lynn Tech 6
After more than three hours and 143 miles of driving, the Tigers nearly came up with a big upset win on the road Friday night.
Tech’s lone touchdown came on a three-yard run from Regnar Nival.
Tech is now 3-5 and will play a non-playoff game next week.
Non-Playoff Games
Lynnfield 28, Shawsheen 0
Lynnfield is now 3-5.
Lynn English 20, Melrose 7
English is now 4-4.
Peabody 42, Wakefield 19
Peabody is now 5-4.
Salem 37, Medford 12
Salem is now 5-4.
GIRLS SOCCER
Division 2 Round of 32
No. 7 Westborough 2,No. 26 Marblehead 1
Despite taking a lead in the first half on an own goal, the Magicians couldn’t hold on and fell on the road Friday evening.
Marblehead finishes out the season at 13-5-1.
VOLLEYBALL
Division 1 Round of 32
No. 1 Franklin 3, No. 32 Lynn Classical 0
The Rams saw their stellar season come to an end against the top overall seed in Division 1 Friday night.
Classical wraps up the year at 18-4.