Vikings Sweep the Salem Witches, 21-0

This weird and wonderful season continued with another impressive victory for the Winthrop High football team.

After dismantling Revere in a non-Thanksgiving game, the Vikings played Salem High but not at Bertram Field which won’t be ready until November.

Instead Sean Driscoll and his football team traveled to Hurd Stadium in Beverly for their matchup with the Salem Witches and the Vikings took another step forward with a 21-0 victory Saturday afternoon.

Team captain Jordan Corbett-Frank continued to be an on-field leader extraordinaire with 89 yards rushing and two touchdowns, including a nice leaping catch in the end zone of a Dylan Driscoll pass for a 25-yard score. Corbett-Frank was also involved in 15 tackles on defense.

“Jordan is off to a great start to the season,” said Winthrop coach Sean Driscoll.

Driscoll, the Vikes’ junior quarterback, was again very effective at the controls of the offense. In addition to his connection with Corbett-Frank, Driscoll helped Vinny Sparacino celebrate a very happy 18th birthday with a 23-yard pass play for a touchdown. Sparacino, who is the team’s placekicker, also had a PAT for the 21st and final point of the day.

Winthrop fans and cheerleaders serenaded Sparacino with “Happy Birthday” during the game.

“I wasn’t aware before the game that it was his birthday,” said Sean Driscoll. “I was trying to figure out why they were singing and then I was told afterwards.”

Reise Turransky was another major contributor with 10 rushes for 48 yards while Zach Deeb had one pass reception for nine yards and played very well at his defensive back position.

The Winthrop defense kept Salem’s excellent running back. Aaron Palmer, in check, except for one 53-yard run on the opening drive. But Winthrop, led by defensive linemen Sean Gillis, Dillon O’Dell, and James Baxter and linebackers Chris Beaudry and Alex Anzuoni dug in and kept Salem off the scoreboard.

“We gave up one big play to Salem but I thought our game plan overall of stopping him was very good,” said Driscoll. “I think once our players got into the flow of the game, they responded well. We tackled better. That’s a big thing. We’re getting better in tackling each week. I think as a team we’re getting better each week.”

VIKING NOTEBOOK

Junior Zach Deeb, who had been a two-way standout at receiver and defensive back, sustained a broken bone in his thumb and will be sideline for an extended period of time. “Zach was having a great year. He was one of our better defensive backs,” said Driscoll. “He will be missed.”

QB Dylan Driscoll, who completed 9 of 12 passes for a 75 per cent ratio, is giving the Vikings exactly what they need to slow down defensive pressure. Driscoll has one of the better runs of the day, but his exciting jaunt to the end zone was nullified by a holding penalty.

“Dylan is playing very consistently,” said his father, coach Sean Driscoll. “He’s doing very well.”

Dylan Driscoll is a three-sport athlete who knows the game of football very well.

Unsung junior Jake Chuidina had four carries for 17 yards. Justin Casilla played well one week after his game-turning INT versus Revere.

Winthrop (3-1) hosts Peabody Friday night at Miller Field. A win over the Division 1 Tanners would give Winthrop many points in the MIAA playoff rating system. “A win would put us in a good spot to make the playoffs,” said Sean Driscoll.

Although the coach and his staff are by no means looking past Peabody, a win over the Tanners coupled with a Classical win over Danvers would set up a conference championship showdown with the Rams next Friday night at Miller Field. Talk about big games.

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