SWAMPSCOTT — What was a dream start for Swampscott (1-1-1) ended with a nightmare finish as Winthrop (2-1) scored 21 unanswered points to stun the Big Blue, 21-14, at Blocksidge Field.
Going into halftime ahead 14-0, the Big Blue were in control. The offense was moving the chains while the defense forced punt after punt.
Unfortunately for Swampscott, it all changed in the bottom half.
The Vikings received the ball in the third quarter and immediately set up a game plan: feed the ball to Nick Cappuccio (187 rushing yards) and Robert Rich (88).
On the first play, it was Cappuccio gaining 17 yards, and on the same drive, he took a jet sweep 53 yards to the house to get Winthrop on the board. Winthrop fumbled the snap on the PAT, making it 14-6.
After a three-and-out from the offense, Swampscott’s defense, which was steady in the first half, started to crack.
Rich broke free for a 49-yard touchdown. The Vikings went for two and converted on a pass from Matthew Noonan to Cappuccio to tie the game 14-14 with 2:52 left in the third quarter.
In the final quarter, it was a new game and all momentum was with the visitors. Fifty-six seconds in, Cappuccio raced for another touchdown – and a Winthrop lead.
Swampscott never threatened for the remainder of the game. The Big Blue, after getting a stop with under two minutes left, got the ball back inside their own 20. After picking up a couple of first downs, Jack Spear threw an interception over the middle to seal the deal.
In the first quarter, Spear rolled out to his right before finding senior receiver Jack Hazell. Hazell (4 catches, 55 yards) showed his strength, battling off two Vikings before finding the endzone for the game’s first score with 4:48 remaining in the first quarter.
The two connected again in the second quarter on a 20-yard score. Henry Beuttler finished the game with 54 yards rushing for Swampscott, which returns to action Friday against Saugus at 7 p.m.
