SWAMPSCOTT — Swampscott High School football, coming off back-to-back Division 5 state championships, is hungry for another title as high school football practices kick off across the state.
Big Blue is coming off a tremendous (12-1) season where they defeated North Reading to take home the Division 5 crown. Since 2018 Big Blue has won two Division 5 state titles and appeared in a playoff semi-final. With all the recent success for Big Blue, Head Coach Bob Serino says teams of the past serve as role models for new teams each year.
“Every team that keeps going through is a role model for the freshman, sophomore, and juniors that keep going through, and they look up to them, and they are great role models.… We have had a really good run, and all these kids have bought into what we do as coaches and what we coach,” said Serino.
“The kids really, really, really buy into our coaching staff, and I think we have one of the best coaching staffs in the state,” he said.
However, despite all the success Swampscott has had in recent memory, it does not mean the players and coaches can take their foot off the gas.
“We are never happy with what goes on — basically, our players hear it day-to-day, and my coaches hear it day-to-day that we demand excellence at practice, at workout, and everything else,” said Serino.
“We demand excellence from the top guy to the bottom guy,” added Serino.
Looking toward this season, Swampscott has some big shoes to fill with the loss of some seniors, especially the dynamic duo of quarterback Cam O’Brien and running back Xaviah Bascon, who broke Swampscott’s rushing record for yards, carries, and touchdowns last season. Even with the loss of great players like O’Brien and Bascon, Serino mentioned a significant key to Big Blue’s success year after year.
Serino explained that talented kids in Swampscott’s football program who may not play varsity right away serve on the scout team, which is invaluable to a player’s growth.
“Each year, we have great, great kids that do not play varsity that run look-squad and run the looks for our teams. That never gets mentioned anywhere other than my banquets and stuff — that makes them better,” said Serino.
“That makes them ready for the following year, and they run other team’s plays week in and week out for us to win those games,” he continued.
Some players to keep an eye on this season and who could be primed for a big year include guys who started in last year’s championship game, such as Jason Codispoti and Ethan Gee. Codispoti started at wideout and defensive back while Gee started at guard and will play guard and some linebacker this season.
Big Blue also has some guys returning from injury, such as wide receiver Chris Ferragamo who was slated to be a big offensive weapon last year but broke his leg early last season. He is also going to play some defensive back too.
As for the million dollar question — who will be starting at quarterback for the defending champs — there is currently a three-way battle for the spot. Capt. Zack Ryan, Liam Keaney, and Jack Spear are duking it out for the starting quarterback job.
“All three of them are really looking good — cannot have anything better than that — competition,” said Serino.
There is no denying that Swampscott is ready to go for the 2022 high school football season, as the kids have been doing strength and conditioning classes as well as running hills in Nahant to get in shape for the season.
The willingness of the players to run hills and do conditioning during the summer helps give Swampscott an advantage as they can focus mainly on installing plays and concepts come the start of practices.
“Our kids are in completely great shape when they come into camp — so all it is then is just teaching football,” said Serino.
Swampscott will open its season Friday, Sept. 9, when they host Auburn at 7 p.m. for its first stop, in hopes of bringing home another title.
“Swampscott — we do not get a ton of kids, but you give me 18 kids that want to give me everything they got, we will do it,” said Serino.
