By Cary Shuman
Shawsheen Tech, the No. 13-ranked team in the state, scored a touchdown late in the first half and then returned the opening kickoff for a touchdown to pull away to a 35-0 victory over Winthrop High School Friday night on the Rams’ homefield in Billerica.
“Similar to what happened in the Tewksbury game, we were standing toe-to-toe with Shawsheen the whole first half, and then with one minute left, they scored, and the opening kickoff was then returned for a touchdown. So, in my opinion, we should have gone into the half down 7-0,” said Winthrop head coach Jon Cadigan. “Instead, after the first play of the second half, we’re down 21-0. Those two plays back-to-back really hurt us.”
Things looked bright for the Winthrop offense on the opening drive when Nick Romano (7-yard run) and Sean Dolen (17-yard-run) combined for 24 yards.
But the Shawsheen defense contained Winthrop’s ever-dangerous running back Seth Sacco and the offense throughout the game.
“We have big-play capabilities, but we’re one block away on almost every play,” said Cadigan.
Overall, the Shawsheen defense held Winthrop to under 100 yards in total offense.
“Shawsheen has a great defense,” said Cadigan. “This is probably the best defense we’re going to face this season.”
Nick Correa intercepts
two Shawsheen passes
Senior defensive back Nick Correa had two interceptions to provide a highlight for the Vikings.
“Nick made a great play on a fourth-down and picked the ball off at the 25-yard line [late in the first half],” said Coach Cadigan. “He pulled the football away from the receiver on a 50-50 play and he also made a great athletic play on a high-point ball in the end zone.”
Cadigan believes Correa’s two-INT game may have been the first since the great Jason Griffin accomplished that feat on the Vikings’ eventual road to the Super Bowl championship.
Steven Calla also had an interception for the Vikings.
Romano is top defender
Senior linebacker Nick Romano won the Black Shirt for the third consecutive week with 10 total tackles (8 solo, 2 assists). Other defensive leaders were senior corneback Nick Correa who had 2 interceptions and 2 tackles and junior safety Desmond Cassidy who had 12 total tackles (4 solo, 7 assists, 1 TFL) and a pass breakup.
Unbeaten Danvers
is up next
The Vikings have another tough test on the road when they travel to Dr. Deering Stadium to face a 3-0 Danvers team that is coming off a 34-32 victory over Reading. Interestingly, Reading closed the gap to 34-32 on a touchdown with 18 seconds left, but Reading’s ensuing onside kick traveled only three yards and out of bounds, sealing the victory for the host Falcons.
Meanwhile, Gloucester is also 3-0 following a big 26-14 victory over Coach Sean Driscoll’s St. Mary’s Spartans (2-1).