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Pentucket struggles, drops opener

MARBLEHEAD — The Marblehead High football team earned its first winning season since 1992 last year, but due to its less than glorious history, there’s always skepticism surrounding the Magicians program.

But if last night’s season opener against Pentucket is any indication, the Magicians are on the right track.

Led by senior quarterback Hayes Richardson, who fired three touchdown passes and ran for a score, and Evan Comeau, who caught three TD passes, the Magicians romped, 27-2, in Jim Rudloff’s debut as head coach.

Oddly enough, Pentucket scored the first two points of the game when Richardson was knocked down in the end zone for a safety in the first quarter.  Pentucket was plagued by mistakes on special teams, which made Marblehead’s job much easier.

Marblehead’s Demarco Dooley (who is listed as 5-foot-5, 145 pounds), blocked a punt, setting up one touchdown, and a high snap from center on a fourth down punt attempt by Pentucket left the Magicians in great field position for another score.

The Marblehead defense played superbly from wire to wire, holding Pentucket to 77 ground yards and just 13 yards through the air.

“From the things that Pentucket did, you can tell they’re going to be good. They threw us off guard for a couple of minutes early in the game, but it was our night,” said Rudloff.

Austin Perreault played well in defeat. The senior halfback rushed for 41 yards on 12 carries.

Pentucket will get a crack at another North Shore team in a non-league matchup. Thursday the Sachems will be at Danvers.