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After only two regular season games, there appears to be nothing wrong with the revamped Winchester High football offense. It has produced 38 points in the home opener against Lynn English two weeks ago, and another 35 last Friday night against host Acton-Boxborough that helped propel the team to a 35-24 victory.
The Red & Black are now 2-0 on the young season.
Coach Wally Dembowski lost many players to graduation last year that were critical in their pursuit of that elusive Middlesex League title. They ended up breaking that 35-year drought, before moving onto college. But their replacements are filling in quite nicely.
“We played a fundamentally (sound) first half, but we got lackadaisical in the second half with assignments and techniques,” said Dembowski. “We still need to improve on special teams, specifically our assignments in the kicking game.”
But in the meantime, quarterback Peter Alexopoulos turned in a fine game against the Revolution, completing 10 of 12 passes for 140 yards, while also rushing for two touchdowns and one two-point conversion.
Dominic Vozzella was also credited with two touchdowns and a successful conversion try. He ended the game with 23 carries for 87 yards. Will Bolognese caught five of Alexopoulos’ passes for 99 yards. He was one-for-one in extra points, as well. Henry Nagler was on the receiving end of a Alexopoulos scoring strike to round out the team’s five touchdowns in this game.
Bolognese (1 interception) also stood out on defense, along with Patrick Winn (1 sack), according to Dembowski. Marco Winn and Eddie Sim each had a sack, as well. Gibby Ketterer was credited with an interception that thwarted another Revolution drive.
The Winchester boys will now be heading to Boxford to take on the non-league Masconomet Chieftains Friday night, Sept. 25, at 6:30 p.m. The Chieftains are still looking for their first win of the season after losing home games to Billerica Memorial, 34-0, and North Andover, 27-6.
But Dembowski is not taking anything for granted.
“Masco is very similar to us. We both lack experience in game situations, and so the team that commits the least number of mistakes should win it. The weather could also be a factor,” the veteran Winchester coach said.
Dembowski says that Masco is very aggressive on defense, while running two offensive styles, including the traditional one-back setup. They also utilize a wildcat formation with one of their wide receivers.
“We will need to be prepared for both situations,” he added, “and it should be a battle.”
Joe McConnell is a longtime, award-winning sports editor for numerous North Shore publications. He has been covering Winchester sports for the News since November 2024 and is currently its Sports Editor. He can be reached at editor@winchesternews.org.
