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Wilmington Wildcats Football '07

Fri, Sep 14, 2007 07:00 PM @ Newburyport
Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Q4 Final
Wilmington 7 7 7 6 27
Newburyport 3 7 7 0 17
Newburyport football cheerleaders give it their all at World War Memorial Stadium against Wilmington. The final score was Wilmington 27, Newburyport 17. » Bryan Eaton, Staff PhotographerMore photos

Wilmington's Mello runs over Newburyport

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Friday, September, 14 By Jimmy Carroll
Staff writer

NEWBURYPORT | From the very first drive, Wilmington's ground and pound operation had Newburyport's defense staring at the back of Ernest Mello's blue and white No. 21 jersey for much of the game.

It wasn't a good look for Newburyport as Mello compiled 205 yards on 21 carries, sparking a 27-17 Wilmington victory at World War Memorial Stadium.

Winning the coin toss, the Wilmington Wildcats marched down the field on the Newburyport defense capped by a Mello touchdown in the red zone.

Newburyport responded with a three-and-out on their possession, but after a solid defensive effort, they were able to force Wilmington to punt and place kicker and running back Kyle Leblanc kicked a 31-yard field goal, bringing the game to within four.

After each team forced the other to punt on two separate drives, the Ernest Mello show started back up. The senior running back carried the ball six times for 50 yards and a touchdown.

On the following possession, Newburyport countered Wilmington's ground attack with an aerial assault capped by a 12-yard Joseph Clancy touchdown pass to wide receiver Ashlyn Calcagni, making the score 14-10 Wilmington at the half. The touchdown pass was set up by a 24-yard screen pass to LeBlanc, who was injured on the play, and did not play in the second half.

Newburyport got the ball after the break and began to move the ball down to field, looking to take the lead, but their efforts were cut short when Wilmington linebacker Cory Groves intercepted a Clancy pass at their own 39-yard-line. Wilmington's stud running back Mello carried the ball six times for 29 yards and another score opening the game up at 21-10 | Wilmington.

Newburyport would make it close again with a 24-yard touchdown pass to senior captain Christopher Barry, but once again their comeback efforts were thwarted by Wilmington as Mello scampered for 73 yards and a touchdown run on just four carries.

Newburyport's one last drive ended in a beautiful punt by Clancy, but his effort was not enough, as Wilmington was able to kneel the ball down to run out the clock and beat Newburyport 27-17.

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