Football: Saugus looking to reach 4-0 for first time in 20 years

It will be a carnival-like atmosphere on Saturday afternoon at Stackpole Field, when the Saugus High football team will be looking to go 4-0 for the first time since J.R. Ewing was ruling the airwaves.The Sachems (3-0) play host to Watertown on Saturday on homecoming in Saugus, and coach Mike Broderick hopes that enthusiasm will carry over to his charges.”It’s a big game for us,” Broderick said. “There’s a lot of activities in the school all week, and it culminates with the game on Saturday.”Saugus was thought to be a talented team coming into the season, but had some holes to fill due to graduation. Well, the Sachems have not missed a step in the first third of this season.Quarterback Bret Reid has engineered Saugus’ option attack to perfection while Mike Dean has been a constant thorn in the side of opposing defenses. But the Sachems have also found new stars in players like Shamir Guillaume and Brendon Flaherty, who each had touchdowns last Sunday in a 49-28 win at Lynnfield.”The kids are executing well on offense,” Broderick said. “The offensive line has been tremendous and Mike is a tremendous running back. But Shamir is emerging as a good running back himself.”Saugus’ defense has also begun to take steps in the right direction. After giving up 35 points to Newburyport, the unit has played well in wins over St. Mary’s and held the Pioneers in check until the game was in hand last week, even scoring a touchdown on a Dean interception return.”Our defense has gotten a lot better. And we’ve been lucky,” Broderick said. “Things have been going our way.”The challenge doesn’t get any easier this week with the Red Raiders, who come from the tough Middlesex League. Last year, the Sachems made the long trip to Watertown and came away with the win.”They play physical and tough,” Broderick said about the Red Raiders. “They are a bit young, but we have to be ready to play.”Saugus’ success has spilled over not only to the practice field, but into the hallways of the high school as well.”Being 3-0 is tremendous. The kids are excited and there is a lot of enthusiasm in the building,” Broderick said. “We are 3-0, but we want to keep trying to improve.”Swampscott at SalemAt Bertram Field tonight (7), the Big Blue (2-1) nearly let one get away last Sunday at Manning Field against English. Leading 34-13, Swampscott watched as the Bulldogs scored 19 fourth-quarter points to nearly pull off a miraculous comeback.Quarterback Chris Cameron was outstanding, earning a gold helmet for his 335 yards of total offense and three touchdowns (all passing).Swampscott’s rush defense will be tested against Witches star Melikke Van Alstyne, who went for 93 yards last week in a 14-8 win over Marblehead. The Big Blue surrendered 200 yards on 42 carries to English.Cathedral at St. Mary’sAt Manning Field (7), the Spartans (2-1) found themselves in a 6-0 hole early against Madison Park before rallying for 22 unanswered points and a 22-6 win.Running back Tim Day had a stellar performance for the Spartans, rushing for 86 yards and all three of St. Mary’s scores. The Spartan defense also was outstanding, holding the Cardinals to 104 yards total (62 of them on the scoring play).Tech at North Shore TechAt Middleton (10:30), the Tigers (1-2) defense played well last Thursday, holding O’Bryant to 179 yards of offense, but turnovers and a fluke fumble recovery doomed Tech.Fullback Mikey Lara was the bright spot for coach Gary Sverker’s team, rushing for 118 yards and a touchdown on 15 carries.Marblehead at GeorgetownAt Georgetown (2), the Magicians (2-1) gave a talented Salem team all it could handle last Sunday, leading 8-6 in the second quarter before falling 14-8. The Marblehead defense held Van Alstyne to 93 yards, while Nick Haller’s 53-yard run was the Magicians’ lone touchdown.Revere at BeverlyAt Hurd Stadium (1), the Panthers (1-2) look to bounce back from a 35-0 loss at Gloucester on Sunday night while the Patriots (1-2) will try to rally from a 35-8 loss at hom