Winthrop senior Dom Farrell returned an interception 75 yards for a touchdown to highlight the Vikings’ defensive masterpiece that produced a 21-0 victory over Pentucket Regional Friday night in West Newbury.
Trailing 15-0, Pentucket was driving late in the third quarter in hopes of making it a one-score game. Instead, Farrell perfectly timed his move in front of the Pentucket wide receiver for the INT before cutting across the field and completing his Pick-6, the first by a Viking since Will Murphy accomplished it in a win over KIPP Academy two years ago. Winthrop went on to preserve its shutout, improving its record to 2-1.
The Vikings’ offense started slowly with an interception and fumble on its first two possessions. But Farrell’s fumble recovery in front of the Pentucket sidelines set up Winthrop in Panthers’ territory.
Sophomore back Johnny Ferrara did the bulk of the rushing on the ensuing scoring drive – including a well-executed double handoff from Farrell for a first down – before powering in from four yards out for a 6-0 lead. Dom Spinale’s 24-yard field goal, off a long snap by Tyler Smith and the hold by Charlie Ferrara, made it 9-0 at the half.
Spinale then struck on defense when he hustled in to pounce on the football following Pentucket’s bad snap from center. Spinale rushed for the touchdown and the Vikings led 15-0.
Looking to make things interesting, Pentucket was moving the football well, but Farrell took the wind completely out of Pentucket’s sails with his interception.
Pentucket head coach Dan Leary felt the Farrell INT was the major momentum turner.
“We had just gotten a first down and we’re driving, and their corner [Farrell] made a really good jump on the hitch and was able to undercut it and took it the other way,” said Leary. “It was a key play at that point in the game.”
Farrell had a huge game with a fumble recovery, a recovery of an onside kick by Spinale, a 51-yard punt, another punt that was almost downed at the one-yard line, and of course, the victory-securing Pick-6.
Winthrop head coach Jon Cadigan lauded Farrell for the defensive play of the game.
“I think it was a big moment because we were up by 15, and that was one of Pentucket’s better drives in terms of getting first downs,” said Cadigan. “The potential was there for a one-score game, but effectively that put the game out of reach. It was a great play by Dom because just a couple of plays before that, it was a fourth-down play, and they completed a pass on a similar route. Dom made an adjustment and figured Pentucket was going to run another hitch into the boundary. That’s film study all week. And you saw his speed, and they weren’t catching him. I’ve said it before – I think he is one of the best athletes in our school.”
Farrell was asked about his Pick-6 in an interview after the game.
“It was single receiver, and in film they kept running the hitch,” said Farrell. “The QB looked that way, and I just jumped it. On the return, I saw the QB, and I knew the cutback was the right choice, and it was.”
Winthrop’s Michael D’Ambrosio had a interception while Johnny Ferrara also had an INT on a pass that was tipped by D’Ambrosio.
“I think our secondary is pretty good,” said Cadigan. “We have some very good athletes back there.”
Pentucket’s Leary credited the Vikings’ defense that kept his team off the scoreboard after scoring a combined 37 points in its previous two games versus Dracut (25-22) and Amesbury (32-15).
“I just thought their defense was really aggressive all night,” said Leary. I give them a ton of credit. They made us play on our heels a little bit and we weren’t able to get anything going. So, credit to them in how aggressive and well prepared they were. It wasn’t our best day, and they played a great game.”
VIKING NOTEBOOK
Barron makes impressive debut as starting linebacker
Winthrop sophomore linebacker Michael Barron had “an unbelievable game for his first start,” according to coach Jon Cadigan.
Barron’s performance earned the Vikings’ Black Shirt defensive player of the game award.
Barron had 12 tackles (one for a loss) and caused a fumble. “He was just all over the place,” said Cadigan. “For your first time starting a varsity game, you might get a little nervous, but I thought he played great. He was active all game, was tough to block, and he actually forced the fumble that Dom Farrell recovered, and he was the backside linebacker on the play. He tracked it down, made a great hit, and forced a fumble from behind, and that’s just hustle.”
A near scoop and score by Spinale
Just like returning an interception for a touchdown used to be just that (before becoming known as a Pick-6), recovering a fumble and returning it for a touchdown is now shortened to “scoop and score.”
Dom Spinale, who had 7 tackles (one for a loss), a QB sack, two QB pressures, and recovered a fumble, almost entered the scoop-and-score category.
Spinale rushed for a TD on the very first play following his recovery.
“Our O-line did a great job blocking for me up the middle, so I just want to thank them” said Spinale.
On his almost-defensive TD, Spinale offered, “I was thinking touchdown, scoop-and-score but the football got close to me and I wanted to jump on it and make sure we got the ball back. It was a good game, a great bounce-back from our loss to Northeast.”
Said Cadigan, “I thought it was a heads-up play by him [Spinale], a real hustle play.”
Michael D’Ambrosio (3 tackles, PBU) and Johnny Ferrara (3 tackles, 2 for loss) both had interceptions as Winthrop finished with six turnovers.
Cadigan also noted the contributions by Mike Ferrara, Desmond Cassidy, and Nate Previte and the defensive linemen crew of Riley Moccio, Jeremy Pena, Eddie Leal, Michael Harrison, and Teddy McEvoy.
“Any time you shut out an opponent, it’s a total defensive effort,” said Cadigan, adding that assistant coaches, Mark D’Ambrosio, James Fucillo, Vinny Sparacino, Brad Cormier, and Nick McCarthy did a great job all week and were on top of Pentucket’s play choices all game.
Pentucket’s hospitality
Pentucket’s new middle/high school building and football field opened in 2022, and it’s a beautiful complex.
“Excellent facilities,” said Cadigan. “Salem [Bertram Field] is my favorite field for whatever reason, but Pentucket is now No. 2. It was a great atmosphere and it’s a picturesque setting.”
Interestingly, that was Pentucket School Supt. Dr. Jonathan Bartholomew and former North Andover Supt. Dr. Gregg Gilligan sharing the public address responsibilities during the game. Gilligan is now the principal of the Page Elementary School in West Newbury.
Wonder if Winthrop Supt. of Schools (and former state champion and Boston College Division 1 softball star) Lisa Gill Howard would like a shot at the microphone – though Stephen Skobeleff is top-notch in his role.
