SWAMPSCOTT — Before the season started, the Swampscott football team knew Week 5’s game against Northeastern Conference rival English would be a huge tilt with key implications for both teams. What the Big Blue didn’t know is they’d be 4-0 coming into Saturday’s clash against the Bulldogs, but that’s exactly where junior co-captain Jonathan Orakhi and his teammates aimed to be.
“The team’s feeling good about being undefeated for the first month,” Oriakhi, a wide receiver/linebacker, said. “We started out not playing as a team. As the season went on, we started to play like a team. Guys are all doing their jobs. It’s a great feeling to have everyone on the team doing their job.
“As a whole we’re playing like one,” Oriakhi added. “Specifically, the wideouts are running better, crisper routes. Everyone’s blocking for each other on the field. Every day Coach (Robert) Serino’s pushing us to be better. We have a great coaching staff that helps us get better each and every week.”
Oriakhi dazzled for the Big Blue in last Saturday’s 36-22 win over Salem at Blocksidge Field. The junior caused headaches for Salem’s secondary from start to finish, tallying 11 receptions for 160 yards and two touchdowns. Oriakhi’s 11 catches tied a Big Blue single-game record with Tom Kiely (vs. Beverly, 2002) and A.J. Baker (vs. Peabody and Danvers, 2009).
“You just have to get the ball in Jonathan’s hands, once you get it in his hands he explodes,” Swampscott coach Robert Serino said. “He can play any position. He plays tight end also. He tied that record with Kiely and Baker. Those are two great receivers that came out of Swampscott.”
In true team-first fashion, Oriakhi deflected the credit for his 11-catch performance and applauded his quarterback, fellow junior Graham Inazana, and his offensive linemen for setting him up to succeed.
“I felt good but I can’t really put any of that on me,” Oriakhi, a three-sport athlete who also plays baseball and runs indorr track, said. “The o-line gave Graham time to throw the ball and he’s a great quarterback. Graham put the ball on the money every time and I just tried my best to make every play.”
The connection between Inzana and Oriakhi has paid dividends for Swampscott thus far but the chemistry the two have shown this season doesn’t surprise Oriakhi. The two Big Blue stars have been teammates since they were in elementary school.
“Me and Graham have been playing football since I came to Swampscott around third grade,” Oriakhi said. “We have a great connection and it’s great to see it working out. He’s a workhorse, he’s always grinding. He’s going to go somewhere one day.”
Oriakhi’s selfless attitude on the field’s one of the reasons his teammates voted him a team co-captain, along with Dylan January, during the offseason. Serino said Oriakhi has prioritized the team’s goals ahead of individual merits, and his teammates have noticed.
“He comes to the weight room in the offseason and motivates everybody,” Serino said. “This is the first year I can remember, looking back at the books, that we’ve had two junior captains. He’s an absolute leader on the field and in the classroom, along with Dylan January.
Serino added, “Jonathan was one of the biggest vote-getters for being captain. The kids love him. He plays for them more than he plays for himself.”
Swampscott hopes to keep its undefeated record intact with a win over English Saturday afternoon (2:30) at Manning Field. The Big Blue were knocked off the undefeated bus by the Bulldogs last season. English enters the game at 3-1 after last week’s 42-35 win over Saugus.
“English has good players,” Oriakhi said. “They’re going to probably try to run it down our throats. We have everything we need to combat them and bring it to them. They’re going to play hard but so are we. I’ll take my guys over their guys any day.”
The winner of Saturday’s game will bring home the Jeff Blydell Cup. Blydell, who died three years ago, was a Lynn resident who coached baseball and football in Swampscott and Lynn. Blydell managed the North Shore Phillies of the NSBL, who English coach Chris Carroll played for and currently manages.
FRIDAY’S GAMES
Fenwick at Williams (6): The David Cifuentes show travels to Braintree for a Catholic Central League clash with 1-3 Williams. In last week’s win over Arlington Catholic, Cifuentes treated Fenwick fans to 127 rushing yards and three touchdowns, with an 83-yard touchdown reception. The Crusaders are 3-1 and would match last season’s win total with a victory Friday.
Revere at Medford (6): It wasn’t the best of starts for the Patriots after dropping their first two games, but back-to-back victories over Classical and Peabody have Revere (2-2) moving in the right direction. Revere coach Lou Cicatelli said last week’s win at Peabody was “the hardest game I ever coached.” Medford (1-3) earned its first win of the season last week at Somerville.
Danvers at Classical (7): The Rams will look to do something they didn’t have to do all year last season: avoid a three-game losing streak. Classical suffered a loss to Gloucester last week with the Fishermen scoring the game-winning touchdown with nine seconds left on the clock. Danvers, on the other hand, comes to Manning Field undefeated at 4-0. The Rams and Falcons split their season series in 2018 with Classical winning the regular-season clash and Danvers winning the state tournament game between the two teams.
Winthrop at Salem (7): The Vikings are coming off a stellar defensive effort in last week’s 7-6 win over Lynnfield. Bobby Hubert’s 55-yard interception return and Jonathan Applebee’s PAT accounted for Winthrop’s scoring. Winthrop’s offense, however, was fairly quiet in the winning effort. Salem, on a two-game losing streak, is coming off a 36-22 loss at Swampscott.
Malden at Marblehead (7): Magicians quarterback Chris Gally put on a show in last week’s win at Beverly, running for three touchdowns and throwing one more to keep Marblehead (4-0) undefeated. Gally connected with Sean McCarthy for a 22-yard touchdown pass at the end of the first half. Malden (0-4) visits Piper Field still in search of its first win.
Saugus at Gloucester (7): The Fishermen (4-0) remained undefeated with last week’s last-minute victory over Classical. Marc Smith scored three touchdowns, including the game-winner. Saugus lost to English last week but the Sachems (1-3) scored 35 points on one of the Northeastern Conference’s better defensive units. Marvens Jean and James Moise each ran for two touchdowns.
Peabody at Masconomet (7): After a big win over Somerville in Week 1, things have taken a turn for the worse in Peabody. Consecutive losses to Danvers, Marblehead and Revere have the Tanners at 1-3. Perhaps a week away from the Northeastern Conference brings Peabody good fortune.
Manchester-Essex at Lynnfield (7): Speaking of teams that need luck, Lynnfield certainly falls under that category. The Pioneers fell two points shy of their first win of the season last week at Winthrop, with running back Jaret Simpson scoring the lone touchdown on a 2-yard rush. Lynnfield opened the season with four consecutive road games, so Friday night’s home opener might be exactly what the Pioneers need to turn their season around.
SATURDAY’S GAMES
St. John’s at Catholic Memorial (3): The Eagles (3-1) travel to West Roxbury for a Catholic Conference clash against the 3-1 Knights, who suffered their first defeat of the season last week at Xaverian. In last week’s win over Westford Academy, Eagles receiver Wes Rockett caught five passes for 93 yards.
St. Mary’s at Arlington Catholic (3): Jalen Echevarria led the Spartans to their first CCL win of the season last week against Spellman. The Spartans enter Saturday’s game at Hormel Stadium at 3-1, averaging 36 points per game in their three victories. Arlington Catholic is 0-3 after last week’s loss to Fenwick.
Tech at Greater Lowell (3:30): Northeast running backs Zach Sanderson and Conor Joseph took it to the Tigers last week and Tech couldn’t bring home a win, tasting defeat for the first time this season. Now the challenging part is avoiding a two-game losing skid with a victory on the road. Greater Lowell, like Tech, is 3-1 this season. The Gryphons have outscored opponents 111-8 in their three wins.
