Swampscott grinds its way to comeback win

SWAMPSCOTT – Behind timely defense and good ball control, Swampscott overcame a fourth-quarter deficit to win 21-13 over Salem at Blocksidge Field Saturday.Click here for a photo gallery.Salem quarterback Christian Dunston gave Salem (3-4) a 13-8 advantage over the Big Blue (4-3) on a 10-yard touchdown run just before the end of the third quarter. The score came on the heels of the third Swampscott interception of the day.When Swampscott took possession, the Big Blue were facing a deficit on the scoreboard and a very physical Salem team that owned all of the momentum. It was a moment in the game where teams either wilt under pressure or show poise and maturity in the face of adversity.The Swampscott offense showed poise.Led by quarterback Brian Santry, the Big Blue marched down the field in a 13-play drive that ate up almost seven minutes of game clock. Santry completed five passes to five different receivers, mixing in timely quarterback runs – none more important than his 11-yard rush to convert a fourth-and-three. Feeling the momentum swing on the conversion, Santry first found Aaron Cronin on a post pattern for a 22-yard gain. The next play saw Santry find Josh Rothwell on a patented Swampscott quick slant for a 14-yard touchdown. The score gave Swampscott a 14-13 lead with just over five minutes remaining in the game.”Hats off to their offense,” said Salem coach Scott Connolly. “(Santry) played a great game, found all of the open receivers, and played well under pressure. He played very well today.””I thought that drive had some of the key points to the game,” said Swampscott coach Steve Dembowski. “We were able to convert a first down; there was the pass interference that was a big play. We really just grinded today and were able to make big plays when we needed them.”Holding on to a slim lead, the Swampscott defense took the field to try to solve a Salem offense that had shuffled quarterbacks and running backs all game. The Witches had been taking pride in doling out vicious blocks and punishing runs. The Big Blue defense was being asked to take on the same Salem offense that ground out a 19-play scoring drive, capped off by an Aaron Palmer touchdown, in the first quarter.The Swampscott defense showed maturity.Salem ran four plays and could not convert a first down, with the Swampscott defense only yielding five yards on the possession.To seal the victory, Swampscott turned again to Cronin. Cronin showed dynamic play all game, rushing for a total of 42 yards but also hauling in seven passes for 78 yards and a touchdown. Of all those yards, none were more important than the seven that Cronin rushed to find the end zone with just under a minute remaining in the game. The score essentially sealed the win for the Big Blue.On the ensuing possession, the Witches had hoped to quickly move down field and tie the game. As a result of urgency and time, Salem threw a risky pass that was intercepted by Michael Faia for Swampscott. All that was left was for Swampscott to run out for the victory formation.