Dez on the Edge Cassidy earns top defensive honors

Was he playing defensive end or defensive back?

Desmond Cassidy was truly all over the field wreaking havoc with the Stoneham quarterback and the Spartans’ offense.

Cassidy had awe-stirring numbers on defense in the Vikings’ 22-6 victory over Stoneham: 16 tackles (7 solo & one for loss), sack, caused fumble, two QB hurries and a PBU.

Cassidy often lined up at defensive end.

“Des Cassidy was just tremendous on the edge,” said head coach Jon Cadigan. “He was physical and set the tone start to finish. He had a dominant game.”

Riley Moccio also drew high grades from the Winthrop coaching staff with 14 tackles, a number matched by defensive back Michael D’Ambrosio.

“Riley had an impressive game,” said Cadigan. “I can’t say enough about Dom Spinale (6 tackles and one recovered fumble). And Michael D’Ambrosio – he’s just so solid on the back end of our defense. He just cleans everything up. He’s like having another linebacker back there at safety.”

Spinale came within one diving shoe-string tackle of turning his recovery of a fumble (caused by Cassidy’s ferocious hit) into six points.

Harrison’s fourth down stop

Stoneham was threatening to make it a one-score game in the fourth quarter with a 4th-and-2 from the Winthrop 4-yard line.

Playing his best game of the season, defensive lineman Michael Harrison (7 tackles) made the key stop to end the drive. “Michael made a great play on fourth down, taking his guy and pushing him into the backfield and then tackling Dan Staffieri, who’s been their best back all year,” said Cadigan.

Bellingham next up Friday night

Winthrop (5-4) will be traveling to Bellingham (8-1) Friday night for a Round of 8 game with the No. 4-seeded Blackhawks.

Bellingham defeated Tri Valley League-mate Medway, 17-14, in the Round of 16.

“Bellingham is a solid team,” said Cadigan. “They’re well coached. They play a different style than we do. They’re more of a spread team than we are, but we’ll see.”