SAUGUS — There weren’t many who thought the Saugus football team would find itself in the state tournament. Given everything that has transpired this season, the Sachems had every excuse to throw in the towel on the 2018 season and submit to the doubt. But junior running back Marvens Jean and his teammates had different plans.
Jean and the No. 6 Sachems will take the field Friday night (7) at No. 2 Amesbury’s Landry Stadium in the Division 5 North semifinal.
“We know it’s a big game,” said Jean. “We’re focused in practice. It’s kind of a standpoint of the season we want to show we’re not a one-and-done team in the playoffs. We want to show we can go far; we just have to go out and prove that.”
Jean put the Sachems on his back in last week’s 27-6 quarterfinal round win at No. 3 Weston when he ran for 266 yards on 17 carries and scored two touchdowns. He has scored nine rushing touchdowns this season and averages nine yards per carry.
“It was huge,” Saugus coach Mike Mabee said of Jean’s performance last week. “He pretty much put the team on his back. The offensive line did a great job. He hit those holes, ran hard and had a great game for us.
“He has the capability to break a touchdown from anywhere, which is pretty rare. It’s good that we always have that threat in the offense.”
With another season of high school football ahead of him, Jean has set himself up nicely to leave a mark at Saugus. Mabee, a former Sachem himself, sees a bright future ahead for Jean.
“Marvens is a great back and he’s in line to be one of the better backs in Saugus High history,” Mabee said. “He’s only a junior and he’s definitely in line to be one of the Saugus High greats.”
Jean deflected the credit from his stellar game and praised his team for putting it all together at the right time. He said Saugus’ offensive line has come a long way from the start of the season and his linemen have a huge impact on his success running the ball.
“The linemen are the better part of this team,” Jean said. “They’re the heart of this team. The only reason we win games is because of them. The only reason I do well is because of them.”
As sophomore Mason Nickolas comes into his own at quarterback and develops a solid connection with junior receiver Christian Correia, the Saugus offense becomes multi-dimensional. That makes it all the more difficult for opposing defenses to contain the Sachems.
“I think they both kind of work off each other,” Mabee said. “If they key on Chris and the passing game, we can run. If they key on the running game that opens up the passing game.”
Saugus is no stranger to Amesbury. The teams met back in Week 1 when the Sachems were handed a 30-12 loss. But with a postseason win under their belts and no shortage of progress throughout the season, Jean believes the Sachems are a much-improved team this time around.
“(Last week’s win) was a momentum boost,” Jean said. “It got things back on track for us. It got our confidence back up. It was kind of mental check. We know we have the guys we need to go far.
“Amesbury’s a good team. They work hard, they have some big boys up there that can do some things. I feel it’s a good match-up. The first game, I felt we weren’t right mentally, but I feel this week they have something coming for them.”
Mabee also feels the Sachems are in a good place.
“The kids are all fired up,” Mabee said. “They’re proud to be in the playoffs. They’ve faced a lot of adversity. We’re right where we want to be. Hopefully we go out and play a good game against Amesbury. The kids are definitely positive and ready to play.”
FRIDAY’S TOURNAMENT GAMES:
Acton-Boxboro at St. John’s (7): Perhaps a rematch between the No. 2 Eagles and No. 1 Everett in the Division 1 North final is in the cards but St. John’s has to get by undefeated No. 3 Acton Boxboro (8-0) first. In last week’s win over Haverhill, Max Freedman caught nine passes for 158 yards and two touchdowns.
Danvers at English (7): In a clash between two of the top teams in the Northeastern Conference, the No. 3 Falcons travel to Manning Field for the Division 3 North semifinal. Danvers defeated Belmont, 50-35, in last week’s quarterfinal game. English defeated Concord-Carlisle, 35-33, in last week’s quarterfinal game. Matt Severance threw for 200 yards, Miguel Ramos ran for two touchdowns and Tajh Purter caught six passes for 122 yards.
Revere at Gloucester (7): The ride continues for Patriots coach Lou Cicatelli and his “cardiac kids” in the Division 4 North semifinal. No. 2 Gloucester defeated Melrose, 51-20, in last week’s quarterfinal. No. 6 Revere won another close game in last week’s quarterfinal at North Reading, coming away with a 27-21 win. Darius McNeil rushed for 148 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Jonathan Murphy (4-for-6, 98 yards) tossed a touchdown to Eric Bua.
St. Mary’s at Greater Lawrence (6): The No. 4 Spartans made quick work of Georgetown in last week’s 49-6 win in in the Division 7 North quarterfinal. St. Mary’s featured 13 different ball carriers in the win, led by Jalen Echevarria who ran for 145 yards on nine carries. No. 1 Greater Lawrence defeated Lowell Catholic, 40-15, in last week’s quarterfinal.
Non-tournament games Friday include KIPP Academy at Charlestown (4), Haverhill at Peabody (7) and Wakefield at Lynnfield (7).
SATURDAY’S TOURNAMENT GAMES:
Pentucket at Swampscott (2): The Big Blue had no trouble in last week’s 42-12 win over Triton in the Division 5 North quarterfinal. Swampscott led 35-0 after the first half and cruised the rest of the way. Pentucket sealed its semi-final bid with a nail-biting 10-6 win over Newburyport in last week’s quarterfinal.
Tech at Pope John (7): The weather conditions weren’t favorable last Saturday but the No. 4 Tigers found a way to get the job done in the Division 8 North quarterfinal with a 14-0 win over Roxbury Charter. Chase Buono ran in a touchdown and quarterback David Barrios hit Robert Wallace for a 29-yard score. No. 1 Pope John is undefeated this season (8-0). The Tigers defeated Tech Boston, 40-8, in last week’s quarterfinal. The clash between Tech and Pope John will be played at Everett Stadium.
Non-tournament games Saturday include Winthrop at Arlington Catholic (TBA) and Marblehead at Classical (7).