St. Mary’s shuts out Blue Hills

LYNN – Every team, no matter the sport or contest, always looks to get that early momentum over its opposition. The St. Mary’s football squad did just that on Saturday evening, scoring on its first three possessions against Blue Hills, to blank the Warriors, 35-0, at Manning Field.The Spartans also showcased their running game, compiling 376 yards.Blue Hills won the toss and converted a fourth-and-1 when quarterback Kevin Bennett called his own number for a two-yard gain to the Warriors’ 42. Yet the team could only pick up an additional four yards on the possession, and booted the ball away. The Spartans took over at their 31.Nick Day (9-109) swept left for eight yards, then teammate Ryan Barrows brought the team into Blue Hills territory with a 15-yard burst to the Warriors’ 46. Todd Collier (9-129) then scampered down the right sidelines, eluding all defenders to score the game’s first points.”We were fortunate to get that early momentum (with the first touchdown),” said Spartans coach Matt Durgin. “Our offensive line did a good job, and the backs all ran well.”Blue Hills had perhaps its best opportunity to answer on its next drive. Halfback Hadi Bah (11-59) gained the necessary yardage on third-and-12 from the Warriors’ 18 for a first down at the 30. Moments later, he broke loose for a 31-yarder on a fourth-down carry to spot the ball at St. Mary’s 19. Blue Hills marched to the St. Mary’s 4, where, after a five-yard penalty pushed the club back to the 9, the drive ended on an incomplete pass by Bennett.The Spartans didn’t waste any time in doubling their lead. Starting at the 9, Day again headed down the far sidelines before being knocked down at the Warriors’ 45. Barrows followed with a seven-yarder, and Collier added a first down with another seven yards. Collier then broke through the middle for 24 yards to the seven, and teammate Steve Carroll capped off the seven-play, 91-yard drive three plays later for a 14-0 advantage.St, Mary’s stonewalled the Warriors on their next possession, and the Spartans took over at their 39. Day brought the team into Blue Hills real estate with a 22-yard gain, and Barrows followed with a 14-yarder to place the ball at the 25. Collier soon added his second score on a 13-yard run just before the half, giving St. Mary’s a 20-0 edge.”Nick didn’t score, but his runs were just as important,” said Durgin. “All our backs have good speed, and they showed that (tonight).”The Spartans would also take advantage of second-half momentum, scoring on their first possession for a 28-0 lead. The team began at its 32 and eventually faced a third-and-14 from its 47 (after being pushed back five yards due to a penalty). Collier gave St. Mary’s some breathing room, going 23 yards to the 30. The Warriors were then penalized 15 more yards for unsportsmanlike conduct, and Barrows increased the lead to 28-0 on his 15-yard run two plays later.Xavier Gonzalez closed the scoring with a 3-yard run in the final quarter.