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Swampsott football notebook: Big pass before half sparks Big Blue

Tuesday, November, 27 By Nick Turczak
Staff writer

Swampscott's passing game had been nonexistent in the first half of yesterday's Division 3 playoff semifinal against Arlington Catholic.

That was, until the final play of the half.

With two seconds remaining unter intermission and nursing a 6-0 lead, Big Blue senior quarterback Peter Kinchley launched a heave toward the right sideline, where senior wide receiver Justin Mitchell came down with it and galloped into the end zone.

It gave Swampscott a 13-0 lead at the break and paved the way for their 33-7 victory over the Cougars and into Saturday's Division 3 Super Bowl at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro.

"That was actually a designed play. There was three of us over there and we basically just threw it up there, since we figured 'Why not?'" said Mitchell. "It was a good feeling | and it certainly got the team going."

The Big Blue touchdown capped off an 89-yard drive that began with only 1:53 remaining in the half.

"That was huge. That was one of the biggest plays of the season," stated junior running back Ilya Levin, who did his part offensively by rushing for 144 yards on only 13 carries.

Swampscott's combination of Levin and sophomore Kyle Shonio dominated the game on the ground, particularly in the second half. "The (offensive) line did a great job, they opened up holes and made it easy for us," said Shonio.

"We've been stepping it up in the run game," said Levin. "The first half of the year we didn't run that well, but now me and Kyle are both running over 100 yards a game and we're scoring touchdowns, which is what we need because we can't just pass all the time."

The Big Blue's backfield duo couldn't be happier reaching the Super Bowl before their senior years. "It's a great privilege, we have great coaches, it's just awesome," said Shonio.

Levin concurred. "It's a dream come true," he said. "I remember growing up and watching the 2002 and 2003 Swampscott teams go to the Super Bowl. I was at every single game, and I wished that I (would be be) there, too."

Now he will be.

Additional stories:

• Swampscott football routs AC, advances to Super Bowl