BEVERLY — Last week the Swampscott football team put all its focus on marching into Hurd Stadium and stealing a win against unbeaten Beverly. Mission accomplished.
The Big Blue outplayed a relentless Panthers team on their way to a 27-20 win Saturday, improving to 2-1 on the season. It’s a win Swampscott coach Bob Serino and his team won’t soon forget.
“This is one of the biggest wins that I’ve ever had,” Serino said. “Coming into Hurd Stadium, how many people come out of here and win? The bottom line is I played here, my son played here, my coaches played here and (our team) gets to live with this for the rest of their lives that they came into Hurd Stadium and won.”
Serino was quick to praise his coaching staff for the hard work they put in this week.
“Our offensive and defensive coaching staff watched hours and hours of film,” Serino said. “They deserve this win more than anyone right now. Peter Bush (defensive coordinator) put in probably 150 hours for this game. Coach Chris Cameron, Kyle Shonio and Robert Serino III put in just as much time also.”
Swampscott quarterback Graham Inzana had a big game, completing 11-of-24 passes for 232 yards and two touchdowns while adding two more scores on the ground.
But the defensive effort was the difference for Swampscott. The Big Blue executed their game plan and held the Panthers in check for most of the afternoon.
“We have playmakers,” Serino said. “Our defense put them in a good position and kept holding (Beverly). Coach Bush drills them. They do film every day. The film and reps they take are unbelievable. The work that you put in, the kids trust you and they executed.
“Anton Vasquez played an unbelievable game. We lost another end, had a kid with a broken hand trying to play. The bottom line is when you tell (second string) and 1A players to be ready, sometimes they just don’t do it. But these guys did it. Everyone was ready. “
Turnovers hurt each team in a scoreless first quarter, before Swampscott got off to a fast start in the second. Inzana found Andrew Augustin for a 68-yard completion to put the Big Blue in scoring position. One play later, Inzana hit Zack Palmer on a 13-yard touchdown pass to put Swampscott ahead 7-0 (Thomas Frisoli kick).
But the lead was short lived, with Beverly’s Jaichaun Stanton-Jones taking the ensuing kickoff 75 yards for a touchdown to tie things up at 7-7 after a Joe Loreti extra point.
After six straight punts to open the second half what looked like a defensive battle quickly turned into a back-and-forth game.
A Swampscott fumble set Beverly up with a short field and Loreti took advantage with an 11-yard touchdown run to put the Panthers ahead 13-7. Swampscott was quick to respond after a 78-yard kick return from Palmer gave the Big Blue a short field. Inzana rushed for a 7-yard touchdown to tie things up at 13-13.
Later in the fourth quarter Inzana found the endzone again, capping an 81-yard Big Blue drive with an 11-yard touchdown scamper to put Swamscott ahead 20-13.
But Beverly showed no quit, answering on a 43-yard touchdown catch from Loreti to tie things back up at 20-20.
The game-winner came just one offensive play later with Inzana finding Palmer on a short pass that the senior wide receiver took for a 67-yard score to give Swampscott a 27-20 lead.
There would be no Beverly response this time, with the Swampscott defense buckling down to seal the win.
Swampscott hosts Winthrop (1-2) Friday (7).
