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Coming off a very satisfying 38-6 triumph over non-league Lynn Classical in the home opener on Sept. 10, the Winchester High football team understands it’s just one of nine regular season games, and of course that doesn’t count the playoff schedule.
Coach Wally Dembowski hammered home that reality check, practically immediately after the lopsided win over the Rams.
“We still have a lot to work on experience-wise,” Dembowski said, “and need more game situations to continue improving. We are young on the offensive line, but they are already doing a good job protecting (the quarterback) and run blocking.”
Dembowski liked what he saw from his kicking game, but going into the season he already knew that was one of the team’s strengths with senior captain Will Bolognese back onboard.
But he also doesn’t underestimate the presence of long snapper Cole Deason. Deason set up Bolognese nicely once again for a perfect five-for-five in extra points to go along with a 25-yard field goal against the Rams.
The Winchester offense was led by running back Dominic Vozzella and quarterback Peter Alexopoulos, who completed 7-of-10 passes for 61 yards, while also scoring two rushing touchdowns. Vozzella was the leading rusher against the Rams with 139 yards on just 15 carries. Henry Nagler caught three of Alexopoulos’ passes for 44 yards to lead the team in that statistical category.
The Red & Black also did a good job on defense against Lynn Classical, according to Dembowski.
“We did a good job as a unit to slow down their running and passing games,” the coach said.
As an example of that stingy defense, the Winchester boys allowed only two completed passes for a mere 10 yards. They also forced three turnovers. Andrew Haigis intercepted one pass, and Bolognese and Nagler each recovered one fumble.
But now, it’s time to move on to pass the next test on the road against Acton-Boxborough on Friday night, Sept. 18 (7 p.m.), at Acton’s Leary Field. The Revolution defeated Groton-Dunstable in its opener last week, 43-19.
After studying film, Dembowski knows that it won’t be easy.
“Acton-Boxborough is a big, physical team that can run and throw, and we will also have our hands full with their length and size,” he said. “This will (definitely) be a tough battle.”
Joe McConnell is a longtime, award-winning sports editor for numerous North Shore publications. He began covering Winchester sports for the News in November 2024 and is currently its Sports Editor. He can be reached at editor@winchesternews.org.
