MC Football

By Nate Weitzer Globe Correspondent, Updated November 10, 2025, 3:00 a.m.

Geovanni Pena (56) and his Malden Catholic teammates were focused for the kickoff of its Division 3 first- round matchup at Marshfield. Then the Lancers went to win the program's first postseason game.

In April, Malden Catholic’s social media account indicated that “big things are coming” for the program both on an off the field.

A new indoor facility for year-round training and a 3,600-square foot weight room might have initially turned more heads, but it was the hires the Lancers announced a few days later that have made an even bigger difference.

With offensive coordinator Brett Segala and defensive coordinator Nico Papas in the fold, MC fourth- year coach Joe Gaff was able to delegate responsibilities through a tough regular season schedule, leading to steady improvements that translated to a 28-21 first-round win over No. 5 Marshfield in the Division 3 playoffs, the program’s first postseason victory.

“We’ve been close the past few years,” said Gaff, a 1982 Dom Savio graduate and Everett police sergeant. “For these kids to get [the win] last night, you could feel it on the sidelines, it was emotional.”

“Those [new coaches] have brought a new perspective and it’s been an incredible run. It’s been good to see this class start with me as freshmen my first year, and to see them do this over four years, it’s very special to be with this group.”

The turnaround started last November with a Thanksgiving win over Saint John’s Shrewsbury, continuing with nonleague wins over Somerset Berkley (35-12) and Westwood (29-13) in September. While they lost four games to Catholic Conference titans, the Lancers were far more competitive than in previous years, and nearly took down BC High (39-38 loss) on the road.

Springboarding off those tough matchups, the No. 12 Lancers jumped out to a 21-0 lead at Marshfield: quarterback Dom Mercer broke a 48-yard touchdown run on the first offensive play, and later found junior Anthony Wadland for a 10-yard touchdown pass. It was Mercer’s first game back after missing four contests with a high-ankle sprain.

“The Catholic Conference is probably the best league in the state,” Wadland said. “So we face the best of the best. The biggest players, and that makes us way better, and gets us ready for these division games. We never doubt ourselves. The coaches give us a great plan every week and we just have to execute.”

Segala, a former quarterback at Cortland State and successful head coach at Cortland High (N.Y.), shifted MC from a wing-T attack to a balanced spread offense. When Mercer transferred in from St. John’s Prep, and 6-foot-4-inch junior receiver Jeremiah Figaro entering his second season with the Lancers, they had the personnel to sling it. Junior two-way lineman Geovanni Pena (6-2, 235 pounds), who transferred from Lynn English two years ago, has made a huge impact on both sides of the ball.

Seniors Lucas Baglio and Dylan Clough have stepped up alongside Pena, with sophomores David Canelas and Tyler Hogan fitting into new starting roles. With just 11 seniors in the program, Malden Catholic is looking to keep building while integrating young talent.

“As a leader, I don’t think my job is to be best player on the team, my job is to prepare the next leaders at Malden Catholic,” said Pena. “So I try to build a connection with every kid from every grade. I try to show up, lead by example, play hard, and that’s just me preparing the next generations.”

Middle linebacker Christian Zizza is also having a big season for Papas, a former star fullback at Columbia and the son of John Papas, a member of state football coaches hall of fame with notable stops at the high school and college levels, most notably BB&N. Previously the defensive coordinator at Roxbury Latin, the younger Papas moved to Charlestown last year and connected with Gaff, who coached at Tufts with his father.

“[Pena is] just playing at a different level on both sides right now,” Gaff said. “He’s flying around, working so hard, and preparing himself all week to be ready. He’s really stepped up into the leadership role.”Malden Catholic (4-5) rushed for 278 yards with senior captain Treyvon Turner (13 carries, 149 yards, TD) leading the way at Marshfield. Mercer finished with 172 passing yards and 86 rushing yards, and Wadland accounted for 43 rushing yards, made several key receptions to extend drives, and quarterbacked the defense at safety.

When Marshfield (6-3) used it’s patented up-tempo attack to storm back, tying the game, 21-21, in the fourth quarter, the Lancers responded with a methodical drive capped by Wadland’s 2-yard rushing score. Jamaal Thurston’s interception sealed the road win.

“I thought we’d have to play our best game, a smart game, and not hurt ourselves,” Gaff said. “The kids had a couple of mental mistakes that hurt us, but for the most part they played really smart in the second half. They’ve always played hard physically, but mentally, they really grew up last [Friday] night.”