Wilhelmsen back, leads Swampscott to win

WINTHROP — Due to MIAA transfer policies, Swampscott senior running back Desmond Wilhelmsen was forced to miss his team’s first two games this season, both ending in ugly losses.Unfortunately for Winthrop, the English transfer was allowed to suit up on Friday evening and, boy, did he make his presence felt. The Big Blue (1-2) behind 186 rushing yards and two touchdowns from Wilhelmsen, defeated the Vikings 28-14 at Miller Field.”We were obviously disappointed he didn’t get to play in the first two games as the appeals process played out,” explained Swampscott coach Stephen Dembowski. “We were hoping for him to get into game condition tonight, and he certainly exceeded those expectations.”Wilhelmsen ran for 50 yards in the opening half, which was relatively quiet for both teams. Winthrop opened the scoring at 1:05 of the first quarter, as quarterback Dylan Driscoll ran in a boot-leg from 14 yards out before running back Jordan-Corbett Frank’s two-point conversion run came up short.Swampscott wasted little time in answering, as quarterback Brendan McDonald scored on a keeper from two yards out. Jeremy Epstein’s point after attempt gave the Big Blue a 1-point lead. McDonald was fantastic in his own right, throwing for 168 yards and a second half touchdown.Things opened up for the Big Blue offense in the second half as they scored on their opening drive, which went six plays and 57 yards. McDonald hooked up with Trevor Kelly on a 17-yard touchdown pass before a direct snap to Ben Faulkner resulted in a two-point conversion, and a 9-point lead.With the ball deep in Swampscott territory on the ensuing drive, Driscoll cramped up after a run to the 15 before Nick Moulaison came on to replace him. On his second snap under-center, Moulaison fumbled the transfer and Swampscott recovered.On the next play, Wilhelmsen effectively put an end to things, breaking away for an 84-yard touchdown, outrunning the Vikings backfield. Epstein’s successful PAT gave the Big Blue a 22-6 lead.A Jake Chuidina five-yard touchdown run (and successful two point conversion) on the second play of the final quarter cut the Winthrop deficit to eight at 10:41. The hosts were done in for good on the next drive after a late-hit penalty on a Swampscott third and nine.Wilhelmsen put the finishing touches on the drive with a two-yard scamper with 7:34 to play.”He’s the real deal,” said Winthrop coach Sean Driscoll of Wilhelmsen. “We watched him on tape and knew he could play. We obviously didn’t do a great job in getting to him but he is a fantastic football player and the best runner we have seen so far.”Driscoll was not impressed with his own offense, which a week after putting up 39 points against St. Mary’s, faltered against the Big Blue. “We put together a few solid drives and didn’t punt once, but we had a couple turnovers and a dumb penalty that cost us our chance to get back in it.”