Belmont Falls Late to Rivals Watertown, 34-28, on Turkey Day

By 2 Comments

Photo: Ben Jones (center) running during the 4th quarter.

The script was nearly written for a comeback of epic proportions.

Down by six with three minutes remaining in its Thanksgiving game with rival Watertown, the Belmont High School football squad was marching down the field in front of an ecstatic home crowd behind another heroic effort by senior running back Ben Jones and under the steady leadership of four-year starter quarterback Cal Christofori.

Heck, the sun was even peeking through the steel gray overcast seeming to provide the heavenly light to guide the home team to a classic victory.

But a pass thrown ever so slightly skewed to a Belmont receiver was intercepted by Watertown’s defensive back Isaac Huff finishing off the Marauders’ rally as Belmont ended the game on the wrong side of a 34-28 scoreline Thursday, Nov. 24, at Harris Field.

After reaching midseason at 3-3, the Marauders ended 2016 at 4-7, repeating last year’s record.

The loss marks Belmont’s fifth consecutive defeat to the Raiders in the yearly Thanksgiving Day that began in 1921. Watertown now leads the series 47-43 with five ties.

“It was Belmont/Watertown and we knew it was going to be a dogfight and we were pretty confident in our ability to shut these guys down, but we couldn’t shut these guys now,” said Belmont Head Coach Yann Kumin.

In a game delayed due to the Watertown squad arriving at Harris Field well past the official start time – despite having to travel a mere 2.5 miles – it was both team’s running backs who stole the show. Jones’ three touchdown performance was matched by Watertown senior Vasken Kebabjian with a trio of his own as both players collected more than 200 yards on the ground.

“Ben Jones is fantastic … [and] is a tremendous athlete and has had a tremendous season but what’s more important to me is that he’s a quality human being and quality man,” said Kumin.

Kebabjian started the scoring early as he ran 47 yards on the right side of Belmont’s defense for the first TD after two and a half minutes of the first quarter to give Watertown the lead, 7-0.

The Raiders doubled the lead with their next procession but only after being aided by the officiating crew whose rulings throughout the game left many on the sidelines and in the stands pondering its collective competence.

After missing an apparent fumble recovered by Belmont on its 36-yard line, Belmont’s Tyler Reynolds was called for pass interference despite being manhandled and thrown to the ground by the Watertown receiver as Reynolds attempted an interception.

On the next play, Raider QB Deon Smith scrambled 24 yards for the TD and a 14-0 lead with a minute left in the first.

Belmont broke through early in the second quarter as Jones broke into the open over his favorite left side of the line and outraced the defenders 45 yards to cut the lead to 14-7.

After apparently holding Watertown on a third down play, a late flag was thrown by the officials for a personal foul against the Marauders to continue their drive that resulted in a 41-yard field goal by junior Conor Kennelly to give the visitors a 17-7 lead midway through the second.

Kebabjian scored his second touchdown on a 54 yard run in the final three minutes of the half to extend the lead to 24-7. The half ended after another late flag for a holding penalty was called after Christofori hit junior wide receiver Will Ellet inside the 10-yard line with eight seconds remaining.

At half time, Kumin said “we knew we could play better” and “they came out on fire.”

It didn’t take Belmont long to score as on the first play from scrimmage in the third quarter; Jones swept around the left end 71 yards to chip at the lead, 24-13 as Aidan Cadogan’s extra point attempt was blocked.

After a Watertown three and out, Belmont used a combination of Christofori passing and the running attack of Jones and fullback Adam Deese to push Watertown back to its goal. But on two occasions, the officials held up the play during the drive to discuss the location of the ball while forgetting to move the sideline markers “and both times that affected our ability to bring in personnel and our plays to call,” said Kumin.

“[The officials] certainly affected the course of today,” he said.

After Christofori found receiver junior Jake Pollack on a 10-yard pass to the 17, Jones finished the drive on a series of runs, scoring from five yards out with three minutes remaining in the third quarter to cut the deficit to 24-20.

But Watertown would take less than two minutes to score as Kebabjian scored his third long TD run, from 53-yard with a minute left in the quarter.

Belmont struck back quickly in the fourth quarter, first through a diving 25-yard catch by Ellet to the 21-yard line with Deese finishing off the drive with a fourth down dive into the end zone to trim the lead to 31-28 with 7:19 remaining.

But Watertown was soon knocking on the door as Kebabjian had two long runs to bring the ball to the Belmont 7 yard line. But a penalty and Belmont’s defensive line stopped the Raiders at the 9 which forced Kennelly to kick a 28-yard field goal that was partially deflected by Jones who got a hand on it.

Trailing by 6, Belmont took the ball with 3:08 to play at its 33-yard line and marched it down the field to the Watertown 43 yard line with 1:45 remaining before the Huff interception ended the Marauders’ final drive.

Despite the close loss, “I’m not going to hang my head one bit,” said Kumin to his players after the game.

“You took a team that had one win [four] years ago, and in three seasons you are competitive in one of the best leagues in the state. You did that. We did that. What I’m going to remember of this group of young men who had no quit in them, who sacrificed for their brothers no matter what, who played for something more than themselves every single day,” he said.

“I love you guys, and eat your turkey with pride,” said Kumin.

img_1518 img_1518 img_1524 img_1525 img_1528 img_1531 img_1533 img_1538 img_1543 img_1550 img_1568 img_1569 img_1580 img_1586 img_1591 img_1594 img_1603 img_1609 img_1610 img_1614 img_1624 img_1631 img_1636 img_1638 img_1641 img_1657 img_1666 img_1669 img_1672 img_1684 img_1690 img_1703 img_1712 img_1717 img_1718 img_1722 img_1724 img_1741 img_1743 img_1747 img_1752 img_1762 img_1764 img_1770 img_1773 img_1786 img_1787 img_1799 img_1804 img_1807 img_1813 img_1829 img_1830 img_1832 img_1837 img_1841 img_1847 img_1859 img_1860 img_1863 img_1868 img_1874 img_1876 img_1879 img_1883 img_1891 img_1896 img_1899 img_1904 img_1910 img_1917 img_1918 img_1943 img_1951 img_1955 img_1968 img_1975 img_1983 img_1992 img_1998 img_2000 img_2004 img_2005 img_2012 img_2020 img_2027 img_2029 img_2033 img_2038 img_2049 img_2069 img_2073 img_2075 img_2076 img_2081 img_2084 img_2090 img_2096 img_2099 img_2101 img_2104 img_2107 img_2108 img_2138 img_2151 img_2158 img_2160 img_2173 img_2187 img_2191 img_2194 img_2205 img_2214 img_2216 img_2217 img_2218 img_2222 img_2226 img_2227 img_2228 img_2230 img_2232 img_2236 img_2243 img_2246 img_2249 img_2251

Five ‘Eastern’ Options Put Forth in Community Path Feasibility Study

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Participants at last week’s community path feasibility study view alternative routes on poster boards.

The one message the consultants conducting the Belmont Community Path Feasibility Study wanted to convey to residents attending last week’s public meeting on building a path through Belmont was that any discussion would stay within the bounds of “respectful civil discourse.”

The need for such a reminder came as the study ventured into the proposed path’s most contentious “eastern” section from Belmont Center to Brighton Street. For the past three decades, Channing Road homeowners whose property lines have abutted a strip of land adjacent the MBTA’s commuter rail line have resisted calls from the bike and recreational campaigners who have sought to build a community path along the route.

And it turned out that just a few sparks from the approximately 60 residents who turned up to the Chenery Middle School auditorium. Rather, the public was more interested in what was being presented than debating the plans … just yet.

“[The study] is a collaboration” of all residents and interest groups, said Kathleen Fasser, ‎principal at K3 Landscape Architecture in Concord which is working with Pare Corp., hired by the town to conduct the feasibility study.

img_1192

Pare Corp’s Amy Archer.

Under the firm and business-like leadership of Pare’s Chief Planner Amy Archer, the consulting team revealed five alternatives routes:

  • Running on mostly land owned by the Belmont Citizens Forum along the north side of the MBTA commuter line tracks,
  • On the south side of the MBTA commuter line, hugging the back of Belmont High School.
  • A path in a “linear park” on a redesigned Concord Avenue,
  • One that meanders through the Belmont High property midway between C0ncord Avenue and the tracks, and
  • Using public roads in the Winn Brook neighborhood.

A detailed map and description of the five routes can be viewed in the feasibility study here.

You can see the path options for the western end of the route – from the Waltham line to the Department of Public Works site – here and the central section from the DPW to the commuter bridge in Belmont Center here.

Underpass in the mix

The study also includes several design plans for an underpass running about 50 feet from the end of Alexander Avenue under the commuter rail tracks and onto school property near Harris Field and the JV baseball diamond.

The pedestrian tunnel, first proposed and supported by town officials in the 1970s, would allow for a direct link from the Winn Brook neighborhood to community areas such as the high school and its playing fields, the Underwood Pools, the skating rink, the library and the Wellington Elementary School.

Archer also presented three crossing designs at Brighton Road – where a new path will likely cross the commuter rail tracks to meet an existing bike route that runs to Alewife MBTA station – that includes a pair of pedestrian bridges that would be well above the roadway and require long ramps on both sides of Brighton.

After presenting the five options, Archer said each path alternative was ranked and evaluated after a series of public engagements that included public meetings and two site visits in which the public and engineers walked the proposed paths.

Archer said the team had surveyed residents with 40 to 45 questions on what’s the most important feature of the roadway. While not a single feature rose to the top, a pair – that the path makes community connections and it brings high-quality recreation to the town – were on 70 percent of the surveys.

Archer pointed out that one important measure that has not been included in the calculations is the cost estimate for each route. But that was deliberate since the consultants wanted to determine town stakeholders’ preferences absent a bill in hand.

Public responses to the routes included questions and comments concerning the contentious issue from the previous public meeting that focused on how community path users would transverse Concord Avenue at the commuter rail bridge entering Belmont Center.

Sue Bass of upper Concord Avenue felt that attempting to add pedestrians and bike riders onto the current “free-for-all” of vehicle traffic at the tunnel “would kill people.”

Archer acknowledged that difficulty, pondering if a solution such as traffic lights or a traffic circle – called a “roundabout” – could be attempted.

“We are dying to do a traffic study there,” said Archer.

Other comments focused on whether to invest in snow removal equipment for the path or make it a nine months facility, the issue of people driving to the route and parking along residential streets and the danger of placing a path that intersects with side streets.

Next up on the schedule will be the final public meeting during the initial stage which will focus on “Hot Topics” – issues raised during the three previous gatherings – on Wednesday, Dec. 7 at 7 p.m. at the Chenery Middle School.

Burbank Students Had A Great Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Ms. Wollner (right) class with Principal Tricia Clifford.

Last month, more than 150 students of the Mary Lee Burbank Elementary School embraced the “Kids Helping Kids” spirit and collected approximately $1,580 for the annual Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF drive, enough money to provide 1,100 malnourished children with lifesaving nutrition for one day or measles protection to nearly 4,100 children.

A friendly competition for the highest percentage of participation was narrowly won by Jodi Wollner’s class, who are pictured with school Principal Dr. Tricia Clifford (see above).

Thanksgiving Day Football: Jr. Marauders Preparing Next Crop of Belmont High Players [VIDEO]

By Leave a Comment

Photo: The 2016 Junior Marauders.

In the three years since he started the football program at the Chenery Middle School, James MacIsaac said this year’s crop of Belmont Junior Marauders were a bit on the small size.

“You never know who will come out for the team and this year many of the boys are still growing,” he said.

Not that there are that many giants among the approximately 43 Chenery 7th and 8th graders who suited up to play tackle football, said MacIsaac, the town’s assistant police chief who played for Belmont High School a few years back.

This season, the Marauders – which was made up of equal numbers of 7th and 8th graders – faced teams made up of mostly 8th graders, so there were some games that Belmont was starting out with a disadvantage.

“It was at times a bit overwhelming for some of the players,” said MacIsaac in late October facing a strong Saugus team at Harris Field.

While winning and losing, and at times just being competitive, is why the game is played, MacIsaac and his coaching staff are more interested in teaching the skills to play football but also to love the game.

“We want them to have fun and learn about football,” said MacIsaac

The team has had its moments, shutting out Bedford and winning the season’s finale, 28-20 against Sharon which defeated the Junior Marauders in September.

The program’s secondary objective is as a conduit for the high school team.

“Hopefully, they will continue [playing] at Belmont High and that’s what we are trying to get is to develop [that] program,” said Assistant Coach Robert Walker.

That particular goal is paying off at Belmont High School as the Marauders prepare for its annual showdown with Watertown on Thanksgiving with leading receiver Jared Edwards starting his football career as a Junior Marauder during its inaugural season.

“We want this to be an enjoyable time for the kids and I think they understand [that] since we have not had a player drop out of the program ever since we started three years ago,” said MacIsaac.

img_9810 img_6365 img_6359 img_6349 img_9802 img_7167 img_7160 img_7151 img_7149 img_7139 img_7135 img_7130 img_7127 img_7126 img_7125 img_7122 img_7121 img_7120 img_7115 img_7108 img_7093 img_7091 img_7089 img_7088 img_7080 img_7077 img_7073 img_7067 img_7064 img_7061 img_7058 img_7054 img_7049 img_7048 img_7043 img_7042 img_6331 img_6318 img_6309 img_6304 img_6292 img_6282 img_6278 img_6277 img_6276 img_6275 img_6269 img_6267 img_6263 img_6257 img_6252 img_6241 img_6238 img_6237 img_6235 img_6233 img_9809 img_9798 img_9794 img_9792 img_6375 img_6290 img_6281 img_6280 img_7172 img_7170 img_7163 img_7159 img_7118 img_7114 img_7111

Thanksgiving Day Football: The Hype [VIDEO]

By Leave a Comment

Photo:Waiting for the game.

It is less than a week before the annual Thanksgiving Day Football game between Belmont and Watertown high schools next Thursday, Nov. 24 at 10 a.m. at Belmont’s Harris Field. Nearing its centennial – the game was first played in 1920 – the yearly clash of neighboring students has had many great moments, with the last few years archived on video.

To celebrate the event, Belmont resident and recent Belmont High graduate (2015) Lucas Tragos has created another of his outstanding sports video to relive some of Belmont Football’s memorable moments versus Watertown in their historic rivalry.

Habelow, Pergamo Named Boosters BHS Student-Athlete for October

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Michael Pergamo (left) and AnnMarie Habelow. (Belmont Boosters)

Senior AnnMarie Habelow (field hockey) and senior Michael Pergamo (golf) are the recipients of the Belmont Boosters BHS Student-Athlete-of-the-Month award for October.

Sponsored by the Boosters and in coordination, with the Belmont High School Athletic Department, each month a girl and boy varsity athlete will be selected by an independent panel as a BHS Student-Athlete-of-the-Month.

Nominations are made at the end of every month by Belmont High varsity coaches.

Weis Exits As Belmont’s Minuteman School Committee Rep

By 3 Comments

Photo: Jack Weis

It was hard for Jack Weis always to be on the losing side of the drawn out Minuteman Tech school debate.

On Monday, Nov. 14, Weis told the Board of Selectmen that with the recent Town Meeting vote in which Belmont decided to leave the Minuteman district, “this would be an appropriate time for Belmont to find another representative for school committee.”

One of the main reasons for his decision was that his fellow committee members weren’t listening to Weis.

“I think it has tuned me out,” said Weis of his fellow members.

“It’s not what I say but who says it,” said Weis, having been on the losing side of 13-3 or 14-2 votes for a better part of three years.

“So to have any influence [on the committee now] is hard,” said Weis.

But if there was one constant that people remember from Belmont’s protracted battle with and ultimate rejection of a new Minuteman Career and Technical High School, it is the calm, and thorough manner Weis represented the town on the vocational tech’s school committee.

Numerous times whether it was in front of small groups or a packed Town Meeting, Weis would carefully explain the almost Byzantine workings of the 16 member school district attempting to negotiate with a leadership aiming to proceed with a building project Belmont believed was too big.

In a role that at times made him a target of scorn during the years of negotiations, Weis always brought a collegial approach to the discussions, whether with Minuteman officials or town residents who were trying to make rhyme or reason of votes that would end a 40-year relationship with the vocational school.

The selectmen responded to the news by praising Weis dedication to the job and a fair review of the building project and its

“I want to commend you publically for the courage that you’ve shown for carrying the torch for Belmont and representing our point of view,” said Selectmen Chair Mark Paolillo, who with Weis and Warrant Committee member Jack McLaughlin made up the team which challenged the Minuteman officials on the future of the school.

Paolillo said the board wanted to thank Weis for “your outstanding service … during very difficult times when you were a lone voice.”

Selectman Jim Williams said Weis’ lonely mission was like that of Leonardo DiCaprio in the Academy Award-winning role in the film “The Revenant” for his service in the “cold wilderness” of the Minuteman school committee.

“It does take courage and perseverance” to battle for what is right, said Williams.

Weis said the next three years during which Belmont transfer to a nonmember town will be necessary and has written out a detailed job description for the next committee appointee.

The position of school committee member will be posted and will be selected by the board and moderator on Dec. 12, the final board meeting of the calendar year.

McLean Fire Likely Arson, $5K Reward To Help Find Who Set Blaze

By Leave a Comment

Photo: The aftermath of Monday’s fire.

A New-England-based arson prevention organization is offering a $5,000 reward to anyone who can identify the person or people who set the fire that destroyed the abandoned Codman House on the campus of McLean Hospital in the early morning hours of Monday, Nov. 14.

Arson Watch, made up of Massachusetts and Rhode Island property insurers, is putting up the money hoping to identify the arsonists and deter future deliberate fires.

Anyone with information can call 1-800-682-9229. All calls are confidential.

Ride ‘Em Cowboy: Belmont DPW Team Best in Snow Plow ‘Roadeo’

By Leave a Comment

Photo: (from left) Selectman Baghdady, Selectman Paolillo, DPW Director Marcotte, Paul Mosca, Highway Div. Director Santoro, Marc Petto, Selectman Williams and Town Administrator Kale.

When the snow starts falling this winter, Belmont residents and commercial owners can rest asure  that when Paul Mosca and Marc Petto are plowing the street, there’s no two better in the country.

Belmont Highway Division employees Mosca and Petto were recognized by the Belmont Board of Selectmen on Monday, Nov. 14 for coming out on top in state and regional snow plow competition. 

Mosca, who has 24 years of service, and eight year veteran Petto placed first of 15 teams from 13 towns in the Plymouth County Snow Plow Rally and Safety Training event held Sept. 23. Then this month, the team topped the field in the New England-wide championships. 

With the wins, the men qualify to compete against teams from across the country in the Western Snow and Ice Snowplow “Roadeo” National Finals next September.

The “roadeo” consisted of five event including a written test, demonstrating their knowledge of the big six-wheel dump truck they operate – judges disable the truck and the team must tell what is not working and why – and driving and operating the heavy equipment (this year is was driving a course with road cones representing parked cars.)

“They are dedicated to go the extra mile,” said Michael Santoro, assistant DPW director and head of the Highway Department as he held the gold-covered cup from the latest victory.

“Just remember guy’s, hit that street first,” Selectmen Chair Mark Paolillo told Mosca and Petto after giving them his address for when the first snow falls.  

Town Clerk’s Office Closed Tuesday for Election Audit

By Leave a Comment

Photo: Handcount will be underway Tuesday.

The Belmont Town Clerk’s office will be closed Tuesday, Nov. 15 as the town undergoes an audit of results from the Presidential Election for one of the town’s precincts.

Now before anyone believes that residents of Belmont Hill are committing widespread voter fraud, according to Town Clerk Ellen Cushman, the review is part of the state’s post-election evaluation prescribed by the 2014 Election Reform Laws.

Cushman said the law requires the state to audit three percent of the Commonwealth’s 2,200 precincts.

“The random drawing of the precincts occurred on Thursday morning, Nov. 10 and I was advised Thursday afternoon by the Secretary of the Commonwealth that Belmont Precinct 2 was chosen to participate, along with 65 other precincts statewide,” said Cushman.

Belmont’s audit/hand recount will take place in the Homer Building Gallery on Tuesday, Nov. 15 beginning at 9 a.m.; the last day permitted by law.

The town’s Board of Registrars will be conducting the audit/hand recount of Precinct 2 ballots cast and received on or before Election Day, Nov. 8, including all of the Early Voting Ballots and Absentees as well as Overseas and Military Absentee received by close of polls on Election Day.

Cushman said she “had an enthusiastic response from my election workers to participate in the audit/hand recount.” She hopes to conclude the process by 1 p.m. or 2 p.m.