’79 reasons to celebrate for Sullivan, Sailors
HANOVER — It may have been a long while in coming, but for the first time in decades, Scituate football fans have a reason to celebrate. After fighting through the gauntlet known as the Division 5 South field, the Sailors coasted in the state semifinals yesterday, rolling to their first Super Bowl appearance since 1979 with a 45-14 rout of Swampscott at Hanover High School. “It doesn’t even seem real,” Scituate quarterback Aidan Sullivan said. “It’s the next big step like coach said. We’ve got to go 1-0 in that game. That’s the only game I have for the rest of my football career, so it’s going to be an awesome feeling, but it’s crazy to think about.” Sullivan completed 7-of-12 passes for 136 yards and three touchdowns, two of which were long tosses to Max Roche. Will Sheskey was a workhorse out of the backfield, carrying the ball 26 times for 210 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Sailors (10-1) scored 42 unanswered points in the first half, with Daniel May capping it with a 47-yard pick-six. Defensively, the Sailors held Swampscott (9-2) to just 55 yards of total offense through the first two quarters. Graham Inzana led the Big Blue with two fourth-quarter touchdowns. “For this group, we’re definitely not satisfied,” Sailors coach Herb Devine said. “We’re excited to go to Gillette, but we know that we have another step to make, another game to play. And I think that’s the goal, is to get to Gillette, play well and get a ‘W’.” Next up is a battle for the Div. 5 title with Nipmuc, which ran past Longmeadow, 24-9. “It feels amazing,” Sullivan said. “Seeing everyone from our school, alumni, parents, family, it’s just awesome to see. And to be able to lead it . . . it’s just an awesome feeling, and I’m super excited for Gillette.”