The Somerville football team will not play another non-league game this season, and the Highlanders couldn’t be happier about it.
Somerville dropped to 0-6 Oct. 19 with a 34-6 loss to Andover at Dilboy Stadium. The remainder of Somerville’s schedule will include games against Greater Boston League foes, starting Oct. 27 afternoon with a game at Malden (1-6).
At the very least, the league portion of Somerville’s schedule should provide a more level playing field compared to what the Highlanders have encountered in the first six games. Somerville has faced some of the top teams in the state, including Dracut, Lincoln-Sudbury and Andover.
Against Andover, the Highlanders trailed 27-0 at the half. However, unlike the week before in a 41-40 overtime loss to Bedford, the Highlanders had no comeback in store.
“The offense struggled all night,” Somerville coach Tony Gulla said. “However, there were a few bright spots.”
Gulla cited the return of Troy Martini from injury as one of those bright spots. Martini suffered an ankle injury earlier this season, and missed the Bedford game. Freshman Andre James stepped in for injured Matt George as the slot receiver, and caught a 36-yard touchdown pass.
“That will be the first of many TD passes of his career,” Gulla said of James.
Freshman safety Carl Alphonse led the defense with three passes defensed. He also led the team in tackles for the third game in a row.
James received the Highlander Gridiron Offensive Player of the Game Award. Alphonse was the Gridiron Association Defensive Player of the Game.
Malden will enter Saturday’s game entrenched in a five-game losing streak. The Golden Tornadoes fell to Cambridge 34-18 Oct. 19.