Patriots suffer their first loss of the season
Swampscott cruises  to a 28-0 victory
Just as the New England Patriots failed to make it to 3-0 this past weekend after their bizarre loss in Buffalo, so too did their Revere High namesakes prove unable to get off to a 3-0 start of their 2011 campaign, dropping a 28-0 decision to Swampscott Friday evening under the lights at a wet Harry Della Russo Stadium.
The visitors grabbed control of the contest from the outset, marching 70 yards to paydirt on their first possession of the night. A Swampscott interception in Revere territory on the ensuing Patriot possession led to a 40 yard TD drive for a 14-0 Swampscott lead in the first quarter.
The visitors would cross the Revere goal line twice more in the second period, with both scores coming only minutes before the half ended. The second of those touchdowns, which came on a screen pass on a third-and-nine deep inside Swampscott territory, typified the scenario that played out throughout the opening half: Swampscott executed its plays, especially on third down conversions, while the Pats put together three nice drives deep into Swampscott territory, only to see them fall short when they were unable to get to the first down marker on third and fourth down tries.
The Pats also fell victim to the proverbial Slippery Pigskin Syndrome, with a few key passes from RHS quarterback Joe Ritchie falling through the hands of Patriot receivers that could have kept those drives alive.
However, RHS head coach Lou Cicatelli was not blaming the rainy conditions, which only intensified as the game wore on. “We had to play on the same field as Swampscott,†said the coach. “Both teams had their opportunities, but the difference was that we were unable to take advantage of ours.â€
However, there were some brights spots for the Pats, who now are 2-1 on the season, amid the gloomy night. The Revere defense held firm in the second half against Swampscott, which continued to play its first line players until the waning minutes of the game.
“I was very proud of the way our defense played in the second half,†said Cicatelli. “We refused to fold. Instead we dug deep and shut them out. That is a real tribute to our players.†Cicatelli lauded captain Ron Sasso for a fine all around game from his middle linebacker post. The coach also praised the defensive work of his quarterback, Ritchie, who saw action for the first time at defensive back.
Although Revere did not put up big numbers on the offensive stat sheet, Ritchie and Captain Drew Lauria both turned in solid efforts in the rushing department with 75 yards apiece.
Cicatelli and his crew will trek northward to Salem, N.H., Friday evening for their first road game of the season. Kick off is at 7:00.
