SALEM — Thursday night’s clash between the Swampscott football team and Salem at Bertram Field was billed as an early-season key matchup in the Northeastern Conference.
Both the Big Blue and the Witches came into the Thursday’s game undefeated, while fielding red-hot offenses in the process.
The Big Blue offense stayed red-hot, finding its rhythm in a big second quarter, en route to a 33-6 win.
Big Blue senior Jake McIntire, a newcomer to the team, was the star of the night. McIntire caught two touchdown passes and returned a punt for another.
“The day Jake came out for 7v7 this year, I knew that I had a gem,” Swampscott coach Bob Serino said. “He shows no fear. He made the decision to join the team for his senior season and he says he doesn’t regret it. He says it’s one of the best decisions he has ever made and I’m glad for him.”
The win puts Swampscott at 4-0 on the season, 2-0 against NEC teams, while Salem falls to 3-1.
“These kids have been through a lot the past two years,” Serino said. “They haven’t forgotten anything. Salem came to our house last year and they beat us pretty good. That left a bad taste in our mouths and that’s what we used to prepare all week. The players had a mission and they carried it out.”
After both teams punted on their first drives, as Salem fell short in Swampscott territory, the Big Blue struck first with quarterback Colin Frary leading the way.
Swampscott was stopped on third down but a penalty for roughing the punter was committed by Salem on the ensuing punt. That gave Swampscott a second chance and Frary made the most of it by connecting with McIntire for a 50-yard touchdown pass. Thomas Frisoli added the PAT kick and Swampscott carried a 7-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
Swampscott’s offense kept its foot on the gas in the second quarter, exploding for 20 points.
The Frary-to-McIntire connection struck again midway through the quarter on a 60-yard touchdown pass, giving the Big Blue a 13-0 lead (PAT failed). Four minutes later, Swampscott cashed in on a Salem fumble when running back Dylan January punched it in on a 14-yard run (Frisoli PAT). In the final minute, Frary found Isaiah Bascon for a 55-yard touchdown strike and Frisoli booted the PAT to put Swampscott ahead 27-0 at recess.
“Salem was jumping all our short stuff,” Serino said. “We opened up the passing game a little bit.”
“Defensively, they ran a 3-3 stack with a great middle linebacker and a great defensive end,” Serino added. “Salem has some great, hard-hitting players. We knew it was going to be a battle. It was a battle, toe-to-toe, and we just opened it up a little bit in that second quarter.”
McIntire, with his 60-yard punt return, swapped touchdowns with Salem’s Vinnie Gaskins, in the waning minutes of the fourth quarter for the 33-6 final.
The Big Blue will look to remain undefeated next Saturday afternoon when they host Lynn English at Blocksidge Field.
“I know Coach Chris Carroll will have them ready,” Serino said. “It couldn’t work out any better. We’re playing English for the Blydell Cup and probably for a whole lot more.”
Salem will turn the page and shift gears to preparing for next Friday night’s battle against Winthrop at Bertram.
