South Prevails in Shriner's Football Classic, 15-12

A pair of Wilmington players were among those to take the field of Gillette Stadium.

Maybe the final score didn't turn out the way they would have wanted, but playing football on a June night on the gridiron made famous by the likes of Tom Brady, Rob Gronkowski, et al, wasn't a bad way to end a high school football career. The South All Stars topped the North All Stars, 15-12, in the 34th annual Shriner's Football Classic at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro Friday night. Among the members of the North roster was a pair of Wilmington residents. Wilmington High School standout linebacker and 1,000-yard runner John Parsons joined Malden Catholic defensive lineman Scott Layton, also a Wilmington resident. Parson's presence in the defensive backfield didn't go unnoticed. He was named the top defensive player of the game for North. …

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Wilmington Wildcats

IMAGE GALLERY: WHS Football Earns Critical Comeback Win

Wildcats topple Melrose in big Small School tilt.

With a tightly contested Middlesex League Small School Division, every game the rest of the way is a big one for the Wilmington football team. Friday night was no exception, and the Wildcats stepped up to the occasion. Entering the most recent action, Wilmington, Burlington, Watertown and Melrose were all tied for the second best record in the league behind undefeated Wakefield.  Following Friday, things are a little clearer, but not much. The Wildcats came back from a fourth quarter deficit to earn a 19-14 win over Melrose, improving the locals to 4-3 overall and 2-1 in the league. Following the loss, Melrose is now 1-2 in league play and 6-2 overall. John Parsons gave Wilmington a 7-0 edge early on with a six-yard run in the first …

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Wilmington Wildcats

VIDEO: Wildcats Not Enough for Ortiz and Woburn

Wilmington takes fourth quarter lead, but falls 39-29.

Wilmington limited Woburn standout running back Chucky Ortiz to just one touchdown in the first half. But after John Parsons took over the lead for the Wildcats, Ortiz took over the game for the Tanners. Parsons blasted 33 yards for a touchdown one play after quarterback Matt Ferreira scampered 47 yards on a quarterback keeper, and Wilmington led 21-20 with 9:54 to play on Friday night. But Ortiz scored three times within about three minutes late in the fourth, five times total in the game, and Wilmington fell, 39-29, under the lights of Alumni Stadium. Ferreira opened the scoring and put the hosts ahead 7-0 with 1:39 to play in the opening frame. After the Tanners cracked the scoreboard in the second quarter, Ed DeLucia sprung free for a …

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Wilmington Wildcats

VIDEO: Winning in the Rain

Wildcat football team earns soggy victory over Masco.

John Parsons bruised his way into the end zone and gave Wilmington a 7-0 lead after the Wildcats took the opening kickoff and chewed up the next 9:14 of the first quarter. It was the only time Wilmington would light the scoreboard the rest of the game. Still, the Wildcat defense buckled down, stuffed Masconomet inside the red zone in the final minutes and helped the team improve to 2-0 on the season. The Chieftains made for a pulse pounding finish as they drove inside the Wilmington 10-yard line with 1:11 remaining. But on 4th down, Masco fired an incomplete pass near the sidelines and the Wildcats took over on downs, ran out the clock, and celebrated the victory.

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Wilmington Wildcats

Parsons Leads Wildcats Past Arlington in Opening Game

In a battle between the Middlesex League's two newest teams, Wilmington's John Parsons ran for 241 yards and three touchdowns in the 28-14 win.

Despite dominating play and possession in the first half, the Wilmington High football team found itself tied, 14-14, just moments after halftime Friday night, as Arlington’s Matt Garcia took the second half’s opening kickoff back 80 yards to the house in front of his home crowd. Three plays later, however, the tide would turn in Wilmington’s favor once again, as after getting stuffed on first down, Wilmington’s senior running back, John Parsons, connected with junior Tim Woods on a halfback-option pass for 28 yards and then ran up the gut for a 35-yard touchdown, one of his three on the night. In all, Parsons would have 241 yards on 23 carries to go along with his three touchdowns, one pass and one catch in Wilmington’s 28-14 win over …

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