Vikings defeat Salem, host Gloucester in key contest Friday
By Cary Shuman
Continuing a mid-season surge, the Winthrop High School football team took control early against Salem and produced an emphatic 23-12 victory on Senior Night at Miller Field at Coach Bob DeFelice Stadium.
The victory sets up a likely “win and you’re in” playoff scenario against Gloucester for Coach Jon Cadigan’s Vikings, who appear to be peaking at the right time.
Senior captain Seth Sacco again provided a lot of highlights on both sides of the football for the fans, who were seeing their Vikings at home for the first time after five consecutive away games. At running back, Sacco rushed for one touchdown and caught a touchdown pass from quarterback Charlie Ferrara. Defensively, Sacco was the Black Shirt top player honoree with 16 tackles and an interception.
The Vikings stormed to an 8-0 lead on their first possession.
“Salem won the toss and wanted to kick the ball off,” said Cadigan. “I feel like we’re playing well offensively, so to go right down the field and score, and then get the two-point conversion (Charlie Ferrara pass to Nick Romano) and an 8-0 lead, that’s obviously how you want to start.”
Offensive line makes its mark
Coach Cadigan said the combination of superior blocking by the offensive line and the powerful running of the Big Three of Seth Sacco, Nick Romano, and Sean Dolen, has been the difference the past three games.
“We are zeroing in on what we do best, and until someone stops us consistently, that’s what we’re going to do,” said Cadigan.
The men up front, who don’t usually get the headlines, are two-year starting center and captain Roy Konopaska, guards Riley Moccio and Chris Beshere, and tackles Chris Messina and Jeremy Pena. Tight ends Nic Correa and Mike Ferrara also receive high marks.
“We are very, very sound assignment wise, very rarely do we miss a blocking assignment,” said Cadigan. “We’re doing a pretty good job of going to the right spot and getting on the right guy.”
Peña has a rich football tradition
Winthrop lineman Jeremy Pena is the great nephew of Andy Diranian, arguably one of the greatest linebackers in Chelsea High School football history. Diranian, who went on to attend Bentley, personally kept Everett (and future Cincinnati Bengal) 6-foot-4-inch tight end Dan Ross in check during the Chelsea-Everett Thanksgiving games. Jeremy’s uncle, Jon Pavlos, also excelled for the Red Devils. When the GBL was a Division 1 powerhouse, Andy Diranian was a perennial All-Star. Jeremy’s grandmother, Karen Diranian Pavlos, helped found the Chelsea Pop Warner organization.
Key stats
In addition to Sacco’s 16-tackle effort, other Vikes also made key contributions on defense.
Sean Dolen had nine tackles and a pass breakup. Nick Romano had nine tackles. Chris Messina had three solo tackles and a QB sack.
Quarterback Charlie Ferrara was 7-of-10 for 58 yards, with a touchdown pass and a two-point conversion pass. He also rushed for 22 yards on five carries.
Sean Dolen had nine carries for 74 yards. Seth Sacco had 12 carries for 54 yards and a touchdown, along with a TD reception. Nick Romano had 13 carries for 45 yards.
Sacco advances to the NEC’s top tier
Seth Sacco is excelling in all aspects: offense, defense, and special teams.
“Seth is advancing on both sides of the ball,” credited Cadigan. “Early in the year, he was battling the injury stuff, but I really feel he’s been the best two-way player on the field most of these games.”
Nick Romano and Sean Dolen are making some big blocks “on the edge” to help their running mate., according to Cadigan.
Pivotal clash with Gloucester looms
Coach Jon Cadigan has not looked at the MIAA Power Rankings this week, but it’s pretty clear that if the Vikings defeat the 6-1 Gloucester Fishermen, they will qualify for the MIAA Playoffs.
“Gloucester is definitely going to be a formidable opponent,” said Coach Cadigan.