Swampscott Comes Back, Wins 28-21 Over Saugus By Chris Thomsen

As Swampscott headed into the locker room Saturday trailing at Saugus, 21-13, the Big Blue was dealing with issues that were all too familiar.

The Sachems ran an option offense that Swampscott struggled to cover throughout the first half of this season. Much like St. Mary’s successful game plan in September, the Sachems were running the ball almost every play, while the Big Blue had difficulty identifying and then tackling the ball carriers. And just like St. Mary’s, the Sachems threw the ball only once in the first half.

Even though Desmond Wilhelmsen ran for two touchdowns in the first half, Swampscott did not capitalize on all of its opportunities. Quarterback Brendan McDonald opened the second quarter by throwing an interception in the end zone after driving his team from the Swampscott 48-yard-line. In losses to Lynn English, Gloucester, and Marblehead, it was plays like this that made the difference.

Swampscott’s first half against Saugus brought out many of the problems that the Big Blue had been unable to overcome in the first half of the season. The second half, however, would be a different story.

In its first come-from-behind victory of the season, the Big Blue defense did not allow a point in the second half while McDonald and Wilhelmsen took care of business on offense, resulting in a 28-21 final.

“It was like the Big Blue of old today,” said Swampscott coach Steve Dembowski. “We found a way to come back, and we made adjustments.”

Swampscott began the half with a quick five-play, 1:24 drive, ending with a screen pass from McDonald to Wilhelmsen from the five-yard line to bring the Big Blue within one point.

The Big Blue’s biggest defensive play came at the end of the third quarter when Swampscott’s defensive line forced a fumble at its nine yard line.

After forcing a punt with 3:40 remaining, Wilhelmsen scored the game-winner on a 55-yard run. A two-point conversion pass by McDonald was followed by Cam Frary’s interception with 41 seconds remaining to seal the victory.

It was the defense’s intensity in the second half that led to the win.

“They were outnumbering us with one of their unbalanced formations, and we just changed up who had [the man receiving the pitch], and who had [the quarterback],” said Dembowski about his adjustment at halftime.

“I’m happy for our seniors. We’ve now won three games in a row, and we can hopefully build on this as we head towards Thanksgiving.”

Swampscott’s win over Saugus was a simple yet accurate metaphor for its season. In the first half, the Big Blue was unable to develop a rhythm, struggling to execute on both sides of the ball. But in the second half it shrugged off those mistakes and played with new confidence.

There’s only one game left on the schedule. With Marblehead’s heartbreaking 34-21 loss Saturday to Tewksbury, both teams are now focused on Thanksgiving Day. Instead of accepting the losses of September and October, Swampscott has shown pride by fighting back for three straight wins. Those efforts have given the Big Blue a chance to redeem its season in the strongest way – by beating Marblehead.