Melrose Ends Woburn's Title Hopes With Blowout Win

It looked like Woburn and Melrose were going to be in for a low-scoring affair as the final seconds ticked off on the first quarter of the Northwest Division 3 title game on Friday night. But that's when the Red Raiders took over.

With just two seconds left in the opening frame, Melrose quarterback Malik Garrett found a streaking Elliot Judware across the middle and the Red Raider wide receiver did the rest as he went all the way to the end zone on a 79-yard touchdown that gave Melrose a 7-0 lead.

The Red Raiders poured on the offense throughout the next three quarters and advanced to the Division 3 state semifinal versus Tewksbury thanks to a 31-7 victory over the Tanners.

Despite some strong drives, Woburn's only touchdown of the day came in a 28-0 game as Rob Voci cracked the goal line on a quarterback keeper.

Melrose, meanwhile went up 14-0 on a strike from Garrett to wide receiver Colby Andrews late in the first half. Tanner defender Christian Cesvette had the play defended perfectly, and thought Andrews lost possession as he went out of bounds. Referees disagreed, and the score counted.

The Red Raiders took control on a 56-yard touchdown by Mike DiRaffaele, added another score when Garrett ran 41 yards to the house, and closed the scoring on a 26-yard Sean Foley field goal.

Melrose will play Saturday in Lowell at 11 a.m. in the state semifinal. Woburn's playoff run came to a close, but the Tanners will close out on Thanksgiving with its traditional game versus Winchester.