Swampscott wins do-over youth football game

PEABODY — For the second consecutive week, the Northeast Conference Youth Football League crowned a new Spartan Division champion. This time, however, the decision is final.In a tightly contested affair, Swampscott defeated Peabody (Black), 7-0, in front of a full crowd at Bishop Fenwick?s Donaldson Field.The league was forced to replay the championship game after confirming allegations that the Lynn Chargers ? an undefeated juggernaut ? used an ineligible player during the regular season and playoffs. Since Lynn defeated Peabody (6-4) in the semifinals and Swampscott in the finals, league commissioner Lou Spano made the decision to have those two teams square off for the championship.?Unfortunately, a couple people had personal plans,” said Spano, who has overseen the league since its creation seven years ago. “But I?m focusing on the kids. These teams worked hard all week. They went to practice and were excited about the opportunity. It was the right thing to do (to replay the game), and we?ll move on from here.”The two teams were evenly matched, but the difference between victory and defeat was Swampscott?s ability to make two more plays than Peabody.After nearly three scoreless quarters of football, Swampscott (8-2) drove deep into the Peabody red zone but fumbled on the 5-yard line.?We?re confident in our offense,” said Swampscott coach Fred Dubiel. “But we knew we?d be facing a team that is very tough defensively.”The Big Blue then made three straight defensive stops of their own, forcing the Tanners into a fourth-and-10 situation from their own 5. Peabody elected to go for it, but came up short with an incomplete pass on fourth down.?We saw something we liked, but it just didn?t work,” said Peabody coach Steve O?Hara. “We had some good plays, but we couldn?t capture the win.”With seven seconds remaining in the third quarter, Swampscott quarterback Cameron O?Brien then handed the ball off to Aidan Breault, who sprinted five yards into the end zone for the game?s only touchdown.?The strategy at that point was to control the clock and run the ball,” said Dubiel. “We knew if we tried to keep the ball out of their hands, we knew we?d have a pretty good shot at winning the game.”On its final possession, Peabody drove to the Swampscott 42, The Tanners, with just over a minute remaining, went to the air, but were stymied by Swampscott cornerback Jordan Cummings, who picked off a pass for his sixth interception of the season.?Jordan?s nickname is ?110,?” said Dubiel. “The kid comes to practice every day and literally gives 110 percent effort.”Swampscott also received strong efforts from Jack Lockhart, Domenic DeCrescenzo, Robbie Vernava, and O?Brien at QB.?Cameron O?Brien calls and audibles his own plays,” said Dubiel. “He definitely stepped up to the plate this year as a team leader.”As happy as Dubiel and his coaching staff were with the victory, he was especially proud of his players for understanding some very complex schemes on offense. That, he said, will only help their development as football players.?We run a pretty complex offense,” said Dubiel. “We run a similar offense to Swampscott High?s Steve Dembowski. If these kids can run it really well as fifth and sixth graders, it will be a lot easier when they?re in high school.”