SWAMPSCOTT — The Triton football team needed to play a flawless game Friday night if it wanted to upset Swampscott.
Unfortunately for the No. 8 Vikings, it was No. 1 Swampscott that scored five touchdowns on six possessions in the first half en route to a 42-20 win in the Division 5 North quarterfinal round at Blocksidge Field.
Triton shot itself in the foot right away. A penalty negated a 36-yard run on the opening kickoff by Jack Tummino. Instead of a first down in Swampscott territory, the Vikings were backed up deep on their side of the field. Triton went three and out, and then the Big Blue took the ball and control of the game.
Quarterback Graham Inzana scooted into the end zone on the sixth play of the Blue’s first offensive opportunity. Triton was forced to punt four straight times, and Swampscott converted all those possessions into touchdowns. The Big Blue’s last drive in the first half was only stopped because time expired.
Isaac Andre scored twice on the ground, and Inzana hit Dylan January with a 41-yard touchdown pass. Jonathan Oriakhi made a fantastic catch over the middle, and sprinted 67 yards into the end zone, for a 35-0 lead at the half for the Big Blue.
Swampscott coach Bobby Serino said having Andre back on the field after an ankle problem has improved his team on both sides of the ball.
“Isaac (Andre) has made a big difference on offense for us, he can get yards, and give (Dylan January) a breather so he can be fresh at linebacker, on defense for us, it makes a huge difference, really does on both sides of the ball,” Serino said. “When he (Andre) was out, DJ couldn’t really get a breather, but now he can, so he’s fresh for defense and offense.”
Serino said his team took Triton very seriously, even though the Vikings were 0-7 and lost to Swampscott, 49-0, in Week 2.
“You can see the difference in this team when they play for each other, for the other guys on the field, not for themselves,” Serino said. “Our defensive and offensive coaches did a great job of preparation this week, especially on defense, we were in perfect position all night, if we saw a hole, we filled that hole. It’s great to see everybody doing their jobs, it shows.”
Serino took his starters out in the second half, and Triton picked up two rushing touchdowns by Tummino, and a 71-yard burst by Ethan Tremblay.
Swampscott went with freshman Pierce Friedman in at quarterback for the second half, and he teamed up with sophomore Jordan Cummins on a drive that wrapped up with Cummins scoring the final Big Blue points from a yard out. Swampscott kicker Thomas Frisoli was perfect on his six PAT kicks.
Swampscott (7-1) hosts to No. 4 Pentucket next Saturday in the sectional semifinal at Blocksidge.
