The Saugus football team celebrated its senior class in the best way it knew how Saturday afternoon, rolling to a 42-6 victory over Salem in a Northeastern Conference battle at Blocksidge Field in Swampscott.
Prior to the game, the Sachems honored their group of 11 seniors — Eric Miniscalco, Novell Omoruyi, Kyle Surette, Javi Martinez, Sal Franco, Jack McPhee, Nico DiCenso, Doug Clark, Edlyn Dos Santos, Donny Ruby and Nate Sanchez — for their contributions to the program over the years.
The Sachems got right to work in this one, blocking a Salem punt on the opening drive of the game to set up deep in Witches territory. That short drive was capped when quarterback Donovan Clark found Martinez on a nine-yard touchdown pass, putting the Sachems up 6-0.
But the Sachems weren’t done there. The next time Saugus got the ball, Surette took a jet sweep around the left edge and dashed 66 yards to the house to put the Sachems up by two scores. On the ensuing kickoff, Saugus forced and recovered a fumble to get the ball right back before scoring on a 45-yard touchdown run by Omoruyi.
Then the special teams got involved. After the Sachems forced another three-and-out, Salem punted to junior Drew Gardiner. After fielding the ball on a bounce, Gardiner turned on the jets, followed some blocks and raced 69 yards for the score. After Martinez caught his second touchdown pass of the game, the Sachems took a 34-0 lead into the halftime break.
Saugus rounded out the scoring in the second half when Clark punched in a one-yard touchdown of his own.
Saugus (1-3) travels to Swampscott Friday evening (6).
Salem (0-4) plays on the road at Masconomet Friday (5).
FOOTBALL
Lowell Catholic 34, KIPP 19
KIPP (2-2) will look to rebound against Whittier Tech Saturday (6).
Marblehead 35, Masconomet 19
The Magicians remained perfect on the season with the win, which also marked Marblehead coach Jim Rudloff’s 100th career victory.
James Doody had a huge game for Marblehead, hauling in three receptions for 73 yards and three touchdowns. George Percy and Connor Cronin each contributed over 100 yards from scrimmage and one touchdown, with Percy notching 82 rushing yards and 55 receiving yards and Cronin added 81 rushing yards and 21 receiving yards. Godot Gaskins added two receptions for 45 yards, while quarterback Joshua Robertson continued his MVP-caliber season by completing 12-of-19 passes for 194 yards with four touchdowns and two interceptions.
Marblehead (4-0) plays on the road at Danvers Friday evening (5).
St. John’s Prep 14, St. John’s (Shrewsbury) 7
It came down to the final minutes, but the Eagles ended up grinding out their first Catholic Conference win of the season thanks to a late touchdown from Stephon Patrick Saturday.
James Guy continued his strong season with another big performance, carrying the ball 32 times for 186 yards. Jesse Ofurie had two receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown, while Patrick had three receptions for 28 yards and one touchdown. Jack Perry completed 8-of-19 passes for 146 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions.
St. John’s Prep (2-2) hosts Xaverian Saturday afternoon (12:30).
GIRLS BASKETBALL
GBL Tournament Final
Everett 47, Lynn English 41
The Bulldogs battled hard until the very end, but Everett was able to make a number of key plays down the stretch to hold onto the lead and secure the victory. Everett’s Andrea Manley was a problem all night for English, scoring 27 points in the win.
English closes out the season at 7-1.
BOYS TRACK
Bishop Stang 53, St. Mary’s 51
Despite the loss, the Spartans got a great performance from double-winner John Nowicki, who finished first in both the 55-meter hurdles and the 200. Dylan Moroney added a first-place finish in the long jump, while Brett O’Brien placed first in the javelin and Kyle Kwiatek placed first in the two-mile. Other scorers for the Spartans were Ed Power (second place in the javelin, third place in the shot put), Jaiden Madden (second place in the 100, third place in the high jump), Kwiatek (second place in the one-mile) and Cody Huynh (second place in the 600).
St. Mary’s (1-3) runs in the CCL Freshman/Sophomore Meet next Saturday (10).
GIRLS TRACK
Bishop Stang 63, St. Mary’s 37
Ava Benzan had a big day in the loss for the Spartans, finishing first in the shot put, the discus and the javelin before finishing second in the long jump. Anna Fringuelli was a double-winner for St. Mary’s, finishing first in the high jump with a new personal record of four feet, eight inches and also finishing first in the 600.
St. Mary’s (0-4) runs in the CCL Freshman/Sophomore Meet next Saturday (10).
SWIMMING
Medford 91, Lynn Classical 78
Daniel Puma won two events for Classical, taking first in the 50 freestyle and the 100 breaststroke. Other winners for the Rams were Adam Mariano in the 200 individual medley, Camille Mendonca in the 100 freestyle and Ava Anderson in diving. A number of other Classical swimmers performed well, with Marino finishing second in the 100 butterfly, Aleana Benedetto placing second in the 200 freestyle, Yassine Bakhouch placing second in the 100 breaststroke, Sydney Finnigan finishing second in the 500 freestyle and the 200 individual medley, Mendonca finishing second in the 100 backstroke and Kristen Johnson finishing second in diving.
The Rams also got a win in the 200 medley relay from the team of Mendonca, Puma, Mariano and Bakhouch.
Classical (1-3) swims against cross-town rival Lynn English Monday afternoon (4) at the Lynn Tech pool.