SWAMPSCOTT– It was a special weekend for the Swampscott High community, which saw two of its sports teams earn sectional crowns.
The Big Blue football team won Division 5 North Saturday afternoon at Blocksidge Field, defeating Amesbury 34-26. The school’s girls soccer team won Division 3 North Sunday afternoon at Manning Field with a 2-0 victory over Bishop Fenwick.
Both teams will play in their respective state semifinal rounds this week.
“This definitely brings the community more together,” Swampscott Athletic Director Kelly Farley said. “Right now, we’re trying to get fan buses organized and all that stuff. It definitely brings the community together. I think everyone’s really proud of the kids.
“It’s great to see months and months of hard work come together,” she added. “They work out during the offseason. The soccer teams start Aug. 23, and the football team starts Aug. 17. It’s just awesome to see them experience this kind of success.”
The girls soccer team, as of now, will play South champion Norwell at Norwell High Wednesday evening (5). Swampscott, under the direction of first-year coach Norman James, made history by winning its first sectional crown.
“He’s done a great job,” Farley said of James. “Even with the chemistry of the team, there’s been a big change this year, which was nice to see. They’re always going to be more successful if they’re all getting along.”
The Big Blue football team will travel to Westwood High Friday night (7) to play South champion Scituate in the state semifinal.
With a victory Friday, Swampscott will earn a trip to Gillette Stadium for the Division 5 state championship (Super Bowl). Farley said she’s come away impressed with the job coach Bobby Serino has done this season, his fourth season at the helm of the Big Blue program.
“It’s unbelievable, the team has done a 180 this year,” Farley said. “He’s only had the team for four years and that’s not a long time from a coaching perspective.
“His kids are respectful,” she added. “They do what they’re supposed to do. He coaches them in life and not just in football.”
Both teams reached the state tournament last fall but came up short of bringing home sectional titles. The girls soccer team lost in last year’s sectional final. Farley said it was special to see the teams get over the hump this time around.
“They were both very determined to do better than what they did the year before,” Farley said. “That’s was one of their goals, to do better than what they did they year before.”
“I’m hoping to see both teams win,” she added. “That’d be great for the kids. I’m hoping for good competition, good fan turnouts where everyone’s supporting their teams, bringing the kids together and everyone just having a good time supporting the teams.”
