Page 10 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, NOVEmbEr 10, 2023 Goal in sight: Football Sachems can lock up winning record this week By Dom Nicastro N ine games into the season, the Saugus High School football team has a winning record. If that’s not evidence enough of this program’s ascension, what will be? The Sachems beat Pentucket, 20-8, in a consolation round game last week on the road. That improved the Sachems to 5-4 and marked their second victory in the last three contests. Saugus needed this momentum badly. After starting 3-0, they dropped three straight and ended up missing the postseason. But it is not resting. The team has two more games – at home against Wilmington Thursday, Nov. 9 at 6 p.m. and on Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 23, on the road at Peabody (10 a.m.). A victory over Wilmington would secure a winning record for a team that won one game in the previous two seasons. Tommy DeSimone had 178 yards on the ground on 38 carries for Saugus against Pentucket, including a two-yard touchdown run, while also tacking on a two-point conversion rush and an interception. He’s approaching 1,000 rushing yards on the year. “Tommy looked fresh all night. It wasn’t like he needed a blow, and he’s playing both sides of the ball, too,” Saugus coach Steve Cummings said. “So it’s not like he’s getting a break. Tommy’s just worked himself into incredible shape. He’s really smart when he runs the ball. He doesn’t really give teams the opportunity to get a big hit on him. He’s doing a great job following his blockers, and he grinds out yards when he has to grind out yards. He’s having a great season for us this year.” Senior Isaiah Rodriguez added four catches for 70 yards and two touchdown receptions from his brother and quarterback, sophomore Jordan. Saugus trailed, 8-0, in the DOUBLE DEFENSE: Sachems Dylan Clark (left) and Tommy DeSimone tackled a Lynn Tech ballcarrier during an October game. (Advocate file photo) first quarter but controlled all the scoring from that point. “It was a good hard-fought football game,” Cummings said. “Not a lot of errors. Not a lot of turnovers. We ran the ball at them really hard. Our offensive line [tackle Ethan Malcolm, guard Larry Barrows, center Dwayne Williams, guard Braden Faiella, tackle Koby Jette] was fantastic. Our guys up front did really well. Defensively we came with a big turnover at the end of the half [DeSimone interception] to kind of kill some of the momentum they had. In the second half our guys were able to execute, and we were able to pull off an onsides kick [by kicker Travis Goyetche, and DeSimone recovered it]. That SAUGUS GIRLS’ SOCCER TEAM NETS POSTSEASON WIN ON PKS The Saugus High School girls’ soccer team battled North Reading in the Division 3 state tourney opener to a 0-0 draw at the end of regulation and two overtimes. It found the net at the right time – on penalty kicks. The Sachems won, 4-3, on a winner-take-all, penalty kick shootout. Shay Sewell, Veronica Ortega, Madison Botta and Natalie Justice got the goals. Saugus’ Tori Carter made a handful of saves in the game. ~ SHS Sachems Sports roundup ~ “Our midfield and defenders did a fantastic job of not allowing many opportunities,” Saugus assistant coach Brianna Alimonti said. “This includes an incredible performance by senior captain Violet Hawley. Shay Sewell came in clutch with our play of the game. A player chopped Tori, and Shay was behind her as she denied it with a header out of the box. All these girls played with everything they had to give. Their hearts were in it.” “We held our own for the entire game, and we didn’t let up,” senior captain Hawley said. “Even though we were tired especially with double overtime we came out with more intensity and we didn’t let up. Our defense was unstoppable the entire game, especially with Tori’s saves. North Reading is a good team, and they are very fast. However, our defense managed to shield the ball out multiple times and when they had a chance to shoot, Tori’s amazing saves kept us in that game.” When the team got to PKs, Hawley said she was nervous not knowing what was going to happen, but she had a lot of faith in Carter in net, and the girls the team chose to take kicks. “Stakes were high but the energy flipped position of the field a lot. And we were able to put pressure on the quarterback, not letting him get comfortable and the kids executed. It was good to see.” Braden Faiella was his usual standout self on defense, and Tommy Cameron came up big from the cornerback spot with an interception. Ameen Taboubi had some key hits at safety, and Dylan Clark was a standout on the defensive line. Cummings credited Saugus defensive coordinator Greg Bluestein for coming up with a shift in defensive sets. Pentucket came out of the gate with some surprise looks, and Bluestein and his defense were able to adjust accordingly. “Coach Blue did a great job of coming up with an adjustment on the fly to get our guys back in the right position,” Cummings said. “After the first drive, we gave up some stuff here and there, but were really able to buckle down.” the entire game was higher than ever before,” Hawley said. Junior captain Botta said Saugus the whole game played really well on defense. “We didn’t let any shots up and when the other team had a chance our goalie was able to scoop up the ball,” Botta said. “The game was very even; both teams were physical and tactically good so it was an even battle.” What was it like lining up and taking a PK shot in a postseason game? “Being in the position to shoot PKs SPORTS ROUNDUP | SEE PAGE 17 We salute our veterans and thank them for 100 Salem Turnpike, Saugus, MA 01906
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