Winthrop executes and beats the Big Blue at Blocksidge

SWAMPSCOTT – This one came down to execution of plays.While Swampscott struggled to execute, Winthrop looked crisp in its 21-10 win at Blocksidge Field Saturday.View photo galleryAfter both teams fought their way to a 7-7 tie at halftime, Winthrop got better in the second half while the Big Blue continued to miss opportunities.?I am proud of our guys today,” said Winthrop coach Sean Driscoll.?Coming off of last week, our guys had a great week of practice that fed into this game. We got better today as a team.”On the opening possession of the second half, the Swampscott offense moved down the field featuring their usual spread offense.Quarterback Brian Santry looked poised while connecting with Josh Rothwell and Ben Faulkner on consecutive 25 passes.However, when Swampscott found itself with a first-and-goal on the five-yard line, a combination of poor execution (false start) and a stiffening Winthrop defense (rush stopped for no gain, forced incomplete pass) led to Swampscott settling for a 26-yard field goal from Aidan Brawley?We didn?t execute today,” said Swampscott coach Steve Dembowski.?We are inexperienced and it showed today. We had a couple of breakdowns.”On cue, Winthrop responded with a 10-play drive that mixed a strong running game between the tackles and well run passing plays. The Vikings took a 14-10 lead when quarterback Dylan Driscoll rolled to his left, set his feet, and delivered a strike to the chest of Ruben Powell. One quick move and Powell found the endzone.Two dropped passes, and a broken play that led to a small four-yard gain for Santry, stalled Swampscott?s ensuing possession.What should have been a standard punt, instead turned into disaster for the Big Blue. A high snap led to a fumble that Powell was able to recover at the Swampscott six-yard line.Two plays later and Jordan Corbett-Frank bowled his way forward for four yards and a touchdown, giving Winthrop a 21-10 lead just before the end of the third quarter.The fourth quarter featured the Big Blue?s attempt to move down the field, only to have dropped passes, penalties, and missed blocking assignments prevent Swampscott from making the comeback.?It felt like we had 10 guys on the same page today and then one guy who was not,” said Dembowski.?You cannot have that on a team, it is not acceptable and we will have to get better.”In the first half, Swampscott was able to capitalize on a fumble recovery when Santry found Aaron Cronin for a 13-yard touchdown.Later in the second quarter, Driscoll and David Capone combined on their own 13-yard touchdown to tie the score at seven.?I think we improved from last week, and that we?re getting better,” said Driscoll. “I am very happy with the way my football team played today.”