Vikings Roll over Revere, 33-0: Paulson Leads with 113 Yards and Three Touchdowns in Thanksgiving Day Rout

The Winthrop Vikings, still upset with themselves over a last minute loss to Newburyport that cost them a post-season berth less than two weeks earlier, took their frustrations out on Revere Thanksgiving Day, scoring 26 unanswered first half points en route to a 33-0 victory.

The win gave the blue and gold a 6-5 record on the season.

Seniors Mitchell Paulson and James Barker provided the leadership for the team, as Paulson gained 113 yards on the day and scored three times for Winthrop. Barker added a second quarter touchdown toss to sophomore back Jordan Corbett-Frank that covered 35 yards.

The team also got a four-yard touchdown run by Robert Diaz and three extra points from Quinton Dale.

“We had one of the toughest weeks of practice we’ve had all season, leading up to the game,” said head coach Sean Driscoll. “I think that loss to Newburyport really stung and it’s a credit to our seniors that they stepped up and provided the leadership to make sure that we didn’t end the season on a bad note.”

Driscoll noted that that senior leadership carried right into the start of the game, as Winthrop controlled the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball and kept Revere 1,000 yard rusher Drew Lauria under wraps all morning.

“Barker and Paulson really took control of the game from the outset and we also got a great effort from senior Phil Locigno, who we used at fullback and did a great job blocking in the running game.”

The turning point came in the second quarter, with Winthrop already leading 14-0, the Vikings fooled the Patriots with an on-side kick, They recovered the ball and scored again on the ensuing drive and stole any momentum Revere had hoped to gain before the half.

“Defensively, Jimmy Barker had a great game for us recording more than 10 tackles,” added Driscoll. “Overall, it was a tremendous team effort.”

“I really think this team matured as the season went along, especially at the midpoint” said Driscoll.

The Vikings got their first non-league win of the season against a young and talented Marblehead team that went to the Tier 2 playoffs Tuesday night, where they lost to Wakefield on a last second pick-six.

“It would be easy to say that there were three or four plays during the course of the season that if they’d gone the other way, we maybe would’ve been a playoff team, but we go better as the season went on, we got tougher and we have a lot of returning players for next year,” said Driscoll. “I really do think that if we can identify a quarterback to run our offense, we have a chance to have a special season next year.”