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Super Bowl Preview: Swampscott vs. Medfield

Friday, November, 30 By Phil Stacey and Matt Jenkins
Staff writer

3 keys to victory

Swampscott

1. Let the 'D' be the key. Five times this season, Swampscott has limited its opponents to single digits in points, and four other times held them to 13 points or fewer. It's not a coincidence; the Big Blue are a team that thrives on swarming to the ball defensively and gang-tackling before an opposing runner, receiver or quarterback can cause much damage. Swampscott gave up less than 10 points a contest in four November games, and would love nothing more than to force yet another opponent to try and play from behind on Saturday.

2. Take a chameleon-like approach. That is, have the ability to adapt to the situation presented to them. For a team that runs the spread offense, the pass is always a pleasant choice for the Big Blue to turn to. But it's also good to know that they can run the ball effectively, as they did in Tuesday's semifinal win against Arlington Catholic when they rambled for a combined 288 yards. Being able to both pass and run equally well, given the situation, will only enhance their chances of winning.

3. Trench warfare. It's one of the oldest axioms in football, and it still applies to this day: win the battle up front, and you probably win the ballgame. The Big Blue have four seniors and one junior (center John Rosenthal) opening the holes and providing pass coverage on offense, while their defensive front seven boasts a talented combination of three seniors and four juniors. Having those units work in synch and owning the battle in the middle of the field is essential.

Medfield

1. Disguise the defensive looks. Medfield is well aware of Swampscott's dangerous offense. Focus too much on stopping the pass and the Big Blue will burn you with the run. Put too many players in the box and Swampscott will sling the pigskin all over the field. It's up to the Medfield coaching staff to keep Swampscott quarterback Peter Kinchley guessing at the line of scrimmage.

2. Run the football, run the clock, and run away with a win. A four-man running attack, not including senior quarterback Luke Swain, can keep Medfield's offense on the field and the opposition's offense on the sideline. Big plays aren't the norm for the Warriors, but they'll gladly move the ball 3 and 4 yards at a time.

3. Avoid turnovers. The quickest way to defeat in the postseason is by turning the ball over. Medfield struggled with fumble fingers early in the year and survived many times. Medfield coach Mike Slason knows giving the ball away will spell doom against Swampscott, however.

Did You Know?

Swampscott won the first-ever Division 2 Super Bowl in 1972, besting Catholic Memorial under legendary coach Stan Bondelevitch ... Medfield coach Mike Slason has a 31-5 record through three seasons ... The Big Blue lost the Division 3 Super Bowl in 2002 to North Attleboro (a 44-40 shootout) and in 2003 to Marshfield (28-6) ... Senior corner back Hary Bodozian leads the Warriors with six interceptions this fall ... Head coach Steve Dembowski is a former Big Blue captain (1988) ... This edition of the Big Blue is only the second ever in school history to win 11 games one season. A win on Saturday would equal the 2003 team for the most wins (12) in one season ... Since dropping its opening game to Lincoln-Sudbury, 30-0, Medfield hasn't given up more than 14 points in a game ... Swampscott won its 500th game in program history earlier this season when it knocked off Revere, 26-6, in Week 2. The Big Blue's all-time record in football is 509-373-52 ... Eleven different players have caught at least one pass for Swampscott this season ... Since 2000, the Big Blue have won 63 games.