Saugus snaps three-game losing streak with win over Danvers

SAUGUS – It was a long time in between wins for the Saugus football squad, but the Sachems snapped a three-game losing streak, blanking Danvers, 16-0, at Stackpole Field Saturday.”We played some very tough teams during that streak,” said Sachems coach Mike Broderick about his club falling to Winthrop, Beverly, and Swampscott in that stretch. “We’re also without one of our captains (Bret Reid, who was lost due to injury), so that’s made it challenging.”The Falcons (1-8) converted several first downs on their first possession after the opening kick, marching to Saugus’ 24, when they eventually came up empty on fourth-and-9. Junior John Moore, taking over for Reid, promptly drove the squad downfield. Halfback Mike Dean (18-148) gained 19 yards to the 40 on third-and-13, then Moore picked up 19 more to the Danvers 20 moments later. The drive ended when kicker Alex DiPesa booted a 32 yard-field goal in the period’s last minute.Saugus (5-3) added to its lead midway through the second period. Two straight seven-yard runs by Moore (9-60) put the ball on the Saugus 46. Dean brought the club over midfield with a six-yard carry to the Falcons 46; then, after Moore gained a first down to the 43, Dean took a pitch from the quarterback down the far sidelines before being tackled at the 16. Teammate Shamir Guillaume scored on the next play for a 10-0 Sachems halftime edge.The Sachems pushed across their final touchdown early in the final quarter. Dean added a first-down carry with a six-yard gain to the Danvers 35. Two plays later, he rambled downfield after taking a pitch from Moore for a 34-yard touchdown to close the scoring.Saugus also received stellar defensive play in the period. Danvers drove to the Sachems’ 15 after runs of 34 and 17 yards by halfback Eric Burgos (13-95). Quarterback Greg Ladd looked for receiver Colin Cooper in the end zone, but defensive back James Sparks timed his leap to snag the ball, ending the drive.Saugus also had a strong defensive stand when the Falcons were driving towards the end zone in the final minutes, stonewalling Ladd at the 1 with time running out.”Our offensive line did the job for us, with Mike and Shamir picking up their yardage,” said Broderick. “And James (Sparks) had great timing on that interception.”