Big First Half Propels Milton Past Dedham

Two struggling teams in Milton and Dedham went head-to-head on Saturday, with Milton topping Dedham 40-6. Dedham's lone score came on a long pass play from Bryan Hummel to Carmen DelloIacono.

It was all about the Wildcat running game on Saturday, with tailbacks Kemani Jones, Matthew Lezama, Diante Hopkins and Antonio Houston stretching their legs to compile 313 yards on the ground.

"This is big for us," said Milton head coach Jim Bowes. "Both of these teams have had frustrating seasons. Today there was some great running and blocks by the offensive linemen."

For the Marauders, the game slipped out of reach very early. In the first quarter Milton took a long drive downfield and scored as well as completing a two-point conversion.

Dedham (1-5) couldn't do much with their next possession after the touchdown and was forced to punt. Matthew Lezama returned the punt for 30 yards and set-up another scoring drive. Jones ran it in from 17 yards out and gave the Wildcats a 14-0 lead half way through the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Dedham still couldn't get anything going on offense. Milton (2-4) applied excellent pressure on Marauder quarterback Dan O'Conner, making him to throw the ball away on two straight occasions. Sean McDonough, a Milton defensive end, hit O'Conner hard as he threw, causing an errant throw.

After a fantastic punt by Brian Coakley, Milton, pinned to its own 5-yard line, overcame the bad field position thanks to Jones. He caught a pass for 15 yards and scampered for a run for 60. Milton scored again on a 16-yard touchdown pass from Matt Regan to Matthew Lezama.

After another three-and-out for Dedham, it was time for the Wildcats offense. Jones had a short gain on first down, but on second down, he took it all the way from Milton's own 28-yard line. 

At the end of the first half, Dedham found some life in its offense, but sputtered out before they could score. They went for it on fourth-and-three with 1:30 left in the half, but Milton linebacker Antonio Houston picked up a sack to give Milton possession at Dedham's 38-yard line.

Right before the half, Milton tacked on another score for a 34-0 at halftime lead.

In the second half, Milton added another score on a run by Diante Hopkins to make it 40-0.

But Dedham, to their credit, never quit and managed to score on the next drive on a long pass play from junior quarterback Hummel to DelloIacono. The 65-yard pass play was highlighted by some jukes and fancy footwork by DelloIacono.

Dedham coach Keith Comeau said that in the first half his team didn't finish tackles and couldn't complete drives, leading to its deep hole.

"We have to clean up these mental and physical mistakes to be ready for next week," said Comeau.