Dragone healthy role in comeback

FOXBORO — All Christopher Dragone wanted was a chance to get on the football field for Stoneham this season Diagnosed with diabetes in April 2015, the symptoms manifested before the season, forcing Dragone to miss two games along with a series of film sessions and practices with his football family. Every week, the sophomore tailback waited his turn as he got healthier and the opportunity to shine could not have come at a better time or on a bigger stage. With junior running back Seth Russell lost to a leg injury in the first half, Dragone got the call midway through the third quarter yesterday in Stoneham’s come-from-behind 26-20 Division 6 Super Bowl victory over ten Old Rochester. Dragone punched in a 2-yard rushing touchdown to get the Spartans within striking distance on his second carry of the game and finished the scoring off with a twopoint conversion catch on the game-winning touchdown drive with 3:21 left to play. “All season I had trouble with diabetes and blood sugar problems, but I’d still get ready, learn everything on my own and be ready every Friday night. It never kept me down. I just kept going,” Dragone said. “This is just crazy. The coaches, my family, my friends, my teammates — they’ve been behind me this whole time.” After scoring the game’s first touchdown on an 11yard rush, Russell was being stretched out on the sideline. It was soon apparent he would not be able to return as he was helped into the locker room at halftime. Coach Bob Almeida didn’t hesitate, knowing Dragone was ready. “With the amount of reps (Dragone) had this year, that was incredible, and he is going to be a very good football player,” said Almeida, who led the Spartans to their first-ever state championship. “He’s had some health issues, but we know he is going to be a real good football player and man we needed him to do it in this one and he came through.” Senior captain Thomas Pizzi, who had an interception in the victory, echoed his coache’s comments. “(Dragone) stepped up big time,” he said. “Seth is a really good back for us, so we had a hole to fill and Dragone stepped up big and filled that hole.” The Spartans struggled all game with conversion tries but Dragone put all his struggles behind him on a simple outside post route to haul in the final two points from Deshawn Chase. The emotions started to set in for Dragone as he paused and stared off in the distance at Gillette Stadium. “Everyone has been rooting for me to get back and get better — it was hard — trust me, but I pushed through and everyone helped me,” he said.