By George, A Big Play: Galuris’ Punt Return for a Touchdown Propels Winthrop to 27–21 Win Over Salem

Make a play.

That’s been a mantra in Jon Cadigan’s football program since he took over as head coach of the Winthrop Vikings.

Who will ever forget Ryan Hovermale’s defensive play that saved a victory over Masconomet in the finale of the 2021 spring season? In that same 6-1 campaign, Mikey Chaves had both a Pick-6 and an option pass for a touchdown in a victory over then-undefeated Framingham, which was once America’s largest town before it became a city.

George Galuris and the Winthrop special teams made a play versus Salem, and most everyone agreed it was a turning point in the Vikings’ 27-21 victory over Salem at Bertram Field.

Galuris’ 67-yard punt return for a touchdown extended beyond the field and into the all-important playoff rankings for Winthrop (4-3). The Vikings are No. 4 in the division, with the playoffs set to start next week at Miller Field following Senior Night today (Thursday).

 â€œIt was certainly one of the bigger plays in the game,” said Coach Cadigan. “After our film study, we felt good about the play during the week. It was our standard wall-punt and we wanted to return the football to the left side for the first time this season. George’s responsibility is to  make a couple of defenders miss tackles and get behind the wall of blockers – and he was gone [to the end zone] after that.”

Cadigan credited sophomores Will Murphy and Michael Holgersen and junior Mark Johnson for taking care of Salem’s “gunners” with blocks during the punt return.

Interestingly, one possession earlier following a Salem touchdown, Galuris caught a key 30-yard pass on a 2nd-and-12 play from quarterback Robert Noonan. Sophomore Demetri Koutsouflakis raced 44 yards down the sidelines on the next play for a touchdown. Galuris followed that TD for a rush or a two-point conversion. Also now handling the role as the placekicker, Galuris booted the PAT after his electrifying punt return for a touchdown.

Galuris joins good company in the punt-return-for-a-TD category versus Salem. All-Scholastic Bobby Hubert returned a punt for a touchdown two seasons ago.

Guauque Makes a Triumphant Return

Daniel Guauque, a senior captain and defensive end, returned to the field after missing five games due to an injury. Guauque made his presence felt as the Vikings’ Black Shirt Defensive Player of the Game.

“He was all over the field making hustle plays and hurrying the Salem quarterback,” said Coach Cadigan. “Danny has always been a high-motor guy. We’ve obviously missed him. It’s important to have him on the field for the stretch run. I was extremely happy for him to get back, No. 1, and play the way that he’s capable of playing in his first game back.”

DK Goes All The Way for a TD

Demetri Koutsouflakis took the football 44 yards for a TD on a jet-sweep play. Was it a breakout moment for the sophomore?

“In Demetri’s last two games (versus Salem and Peabody), he’s had success on the jet-sweep,” said Cadigan. “I think he’s starting to get the hang of it. He understands the importance of getting to the sidelines. You have to be fast, but you also have to be patient at the same time, but you’re trying to get the corner.”

Junior Alessio Marcocio did a superb job as the pulling guard on the play, “sealing the corner inside so Demetri could get the sideline.”

Koutsouflakis was Winthrop’s leading rusher with nine carries for 78 yards.

Welvis Acosta, who is certainly heading to the NEC All-Star Team, had 14 carries for 70 yards and a touchdown. George Galuris had 13 carries for 51 yards and caught three passes for 44 yards. Mark Johnson caught three passes for 25 yards.

Quarterback Robert Noonan was 6-of-11 for 87 yards and once again excelled at middle linebacker, where he also leads the signal-calling on the defensive unit.

“Robert is doing the things you need to do to win football games,” said Jon Cadigan. “He’s emerged in the last few weeks as a weapon in our passing game. He’s been very steady all year on defense. I though he played a very good game.”

Seniors to be Honored

Team captains Robert Noonan, Welvis Acosta, and Daniel Guauque, and their families will be honored on Senior Night before Thursday’s game versus Saugus High at Miller Field. Kickoff is 6:30 p.m.

“Senior Night is always a special night,” said Cadigan.

The senior student-athletes on the Winthrop High cheerleading team and their families will also be honored during the pre-game ceremony.