Swampscott carves up Triton behind Santry

BYFIELD – Occasional glitches notwithstanding, the measurable progress being made by the Swampscott High football team was evident throughout Saturday afternoon’s 33-20 decision over Triton in CAL/NEC crossover play at Memorial Stadium.The Tier 2 Big Blue (2-3) snapped a three-game losing streak behind the play of senior quarterback Brian Santry, who completed 19-of-31 passes for 317 yards and two touchdowns and added 63 yards rushing and two more scores on nine carries. All told, Swampscott’s offense racked up 451 total yards and 15 first downs while the defense generally contained the Tier 3 Vikings (1-4).”We’re sort of mirror image teams, both 1-3 and both fighting and scrapping for a win,” said Swampscott coach Steve Dembowski. “Our offensive line made it happen today – we moved the ball well both on the ground and in the air. And the defense made some stops and allowed us to get an early lead. Brian had the big game, the line had a strong game and (Aaron) Cronin ran hard.”Santry spread the wealth as five receivers had multiple catches, led by Josh Rothwell (5-112, TD) and Robert Serino (5-72, TD). Cronin caught four balls for 65 yards to finish with 131 yards from scrimmage.”Brian has been very consistent all year, our best player on both sides of the ball,” Dembowski said.Swampscott struck first, covering 50 yards on three plays on its second possession. The payoff came on Santry’s 45-yard scoring strike to Serino on the left sideline, a ball that was tipped by a Triton defender but which Serino gathered in at the 10. Aidan Brawley’s PAT made it 7-0 with 6:30 to play in the first quarter.Triton countered with a six-play, 56-yard march propelled by Bradley Whitman’s 32-yard connection with Travis Kneeland to the Swampscott 10. Justin Spillane (16 carries, 84 yards) pounded in from the eight two plays later and Toby Hale’s kick tied it with 3:55 left in the quarter.The Big Blue grabbed the lead for good midway through the second quarter. Facing third-and-18 at their own 14, the offensive line provided Santry with a clean pocket and ample time to deliver a drive-sustaining 24-yard strike to Cronin. Santry then shook loose for a 17-yard gain and Cronin followed with consecutive runs of 24 and 21 yards, the second finding the end zone. Brawley converted for a 14-7 lead.Santry then set up his five-yard scoring run with consecutive completions of 40 yards to Ben Faulkner and 21 to Cronin. Brawley’s kick sent Swampscott off with a 21-7 halftime lead.Triton closed to 21-14 early in the third quarter when Santry was hit as he released a swing pass to the right side. Triton linebacker Luke Boyle intercepted the wobbler and returned it 40 yards for the score.However, the Big Blue maintained their poise and regained control on Santry’s 16-yard scoring run with 25 seconds left in the third quarter. Rothwell’s tackle-busting 36-yard catch and run set it up. Brawley’s kick was blocked, leaving it at 27-14.Swampscott put it away with 7:14 to play on Santry’s 35-yard scoring strike to Rothwell that made it 33-14. From that point, the Big Blue defense unleashed a ferocious rush paced by seniors Peter Sheehan and David Carrasco, junior Brendan McDonald and sophomore Michael Faia. Triton tacked on a late score on sophomore quarterback Justin Cashman’s six-yard run with 1:35 to play.With one nonleague game remaining, Swampscott will look to build momentum toward Tier 2 play when it takes on Malden (1-4) Saturday at home (12, Blocksidge).