SWAMPSCOTT — If the voice of Todd Angilly – anthem singer for the Boston Bruins – wasn’t enough to get Lynn English and Swampscott fans fired up for Thursday night football at Blocksidge Field, the game certainly did the trick.
The Big Blue (1-0-1) lived up to their name, winning 27-12 against the Bulldogs (0-2) in first-year head coach Peter Bush’s first home game.
After a highlight-reel, juggling grab from Jack Hazzel put Swampscott ahead 21-12 on a beauty from quarterback Jack Spear midway through the third quarter, the highlights didn’t stop.
Will Bush took his first handoff 63 yards to the promised land with 10:25 remaining in the fourth – the dagger through the Bulldogs’ heart.
Despite the second-half barrage, it wasn’t always that way. English quarterback Limbert Thomas lofted one to Josh Anderson for a 24-yard score in the second quarter (6-0), followed by a three-and-out from Swampscott the next possession.
After Swampscott’s Max Field pinned English at its own 1-yard line, the Bulldogs fumbled the next play. Joe Marino recovered for a touchdown, and kicked the extra point for a 7-6 Swampscott lead.
Again, English made a play. Jaiden Rosario found Mitchell Purter for a 6-yard touchdown to silence the Big Blue crowd with 1:22 remaining in the half (12-7).
Swampscott’s Henry Beuttler – with his quick feet and strong shoulders – rushed 100 yards. His 17-yard burst put the Big Blue ahead 14-12 just before halftime, and that’s all they needed.
More key plays for English included a monstrous hit from Alijah Wallace that caused a fumble in the third quarter – recovered by Dataree Brown – and a 12-yard run from Thomas early in the game where he reversed field and danced past four defenders.
Liam Keaney played well on defense for Swampscott, which returns home Friday, Sept. 22 to face Winthrop at 7 p.m. English hosts Everett at Manning Field the same day at 6 p.m.
