In Melrose, Nothing Sweeter Than Opening Night

MELROSE, MA — If you went to Melrose's 32-6 season-opening victory against Masconomet Friday night at Fred Green Field, you probably saw Sharon Lavery. You likely had to walk by her if you came through the main entrance to get to the stands. And you definitely saw her if you bought any of those sweet sweets she was selling at the Cheerleaders' Bake Sale.

"It's great," she said, having taken over the table for a bit for the cheerleading coach. She was selling baked goods for one buck each. "The girls made all the posters [in the stands] and they set it up at school."

It's just one of the special parts about one of the most special nights of the year. The first game of high school football. At home. There's nothing like it.

That's probably why "parents who have kids who already graduated last year are coming back," Lavery said. And it's probably why a former Masconomet assistant coach still comes to the games, standing by himself at the far end zone.

"Once you get the lights on, a little dark, it's beautiful," he said.

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High school football games just bring people back, together, and forward. Fans pay attention to each other in the stands more than the action on the field. It's a gathering place - like one big, giant coffee shop.

And the fans and volunteers aren't the only ones who feel a little something special.

• RELATED: Melrose Pulls Away From Masconomet In Season-Opening Win

The biggest play of the win, team captain Adam Caffey's long fumble return for a touchdown, looked like it had been bottled up for months just waiting to be set free.

And it goes up to the very top. After 35 years in the game, coach Tim Morris had one word to describe the birthing of a new season: "Great," he said, with a grin.