Team builds confidence with 2-0 record

By Jack Nicas

In a game that included five first-half turnovers and an eventful, but called-back, 43-yard score, the Somerville High School football team improved to 2-0 on the season with a 14-6 win over Boston Latin High School.

Somerville found its success on the ground, aided by the arrival of Arlington Catholic-transfer Seamus Desmond, a sophomore. Desmond’s power approach served as a change of pace for Somerville’s committee of running backs; seven Highlanders carried the ball on the night.

Junior Jeff Guzman, who head coach Harry Marchetti said was banged up in practice all week, carried the ball 12 times for 63 yards, including a 10-yard touchdown run in the second quarter, his third of the season. Desmond added another 12-yard score in the third quarter to compliment his 103-yard season debut.

Lightning-quick senior David Vazquez-Guerra would have bested them both, but a foot out of bounds on a 20-yard touchdown reception and a block-in-the-back penalty on a 43-yard touchdown run held him to 48 yards on six carries.

Somerville found itself on the defense early after senior Cassius Belfon lost a fumble on the game’s sixth play from scrimmage, allowing Boston Latin to drive 55 yards for the game’s first score. Somerville appeared to have stopped the drive with a fourth-and-11 situation, but on a pass Somerville junior Jerry Alphonse batted in the air, Boston Latin captain Conor Finnerty kept the drive alive inside the 2-yard line.

Somerville answered back quickly, driving 64 yards for the tying score. The offensive line opened up some gaping holes for the Somerville backs, allowing Desmond to gain 35 yards in his first two carries as a Highlander.

“Our line kills kids; I just run,” Desmond said. “I hit the hole and it’s wide open every time.”

Four of the next seven possessions ended with turnovers, three taken by Somerville. Senior linebacker Kervin Eduoard and Vazquez-Guerra each forced fumbles and safety Franklin Salvador intercepted a long pass to close out the first half.

With the score tied at six at the beginning of the second half, Somerville came out of the locker room looking rejuvenated.

Marchetti said the defense was caught off guard by Boston Latin’s quick offense in the first half, so he stressed to the team at halftime to be ready. “It wasn’t a matter of being out-physicalled,” he said, “but we just weren’t where we were supposed to be.”

The defense complied, not budging an inch on the first series and forcing Boston Latin to punt on fourth and 10.

Starting on their own 28-yard line, Somerville’s running attack then gained 72 yards on six plays to take the lead. After a 24-yard sprint by Vazquez-Guerra, Desmond ran through three Boston Latin defenders on his way to the end zone. Guzman then punched in the two-point conversion to make the score 14-6.

Somerville’s defense stepped it up again on the ensuing possession. After sophomore defensive end John Wallace’s sack created a third-and-25 situation, Eduoard picked off a deep ball for Boston Latin’s fourth turnover.

Somerville’s next possession yielded what would have been the game’s longest play. On second-and-10, Vazquez-Guerra took the handoff running left and was promptly met by a sea of Boston Latin defenders. As he turned around, one grabbed his facemask and he lost control of the ball, popping it into the air in front of him. He snatched the ball out of the air and changed direction, running right. With an open field, save for one defender, he sprinted to the sidelines. Eduoard delivered a crushing block, springing Vazquez-Guerra down the sidelines for the 43-yard score.

“[The defender] grabbed my facemask and I bobbled the ball,” Vazquez-Guerra said. “Then I saw the cutback and my teammates there, so I knew I was going to get it.”

The crowd’s eruption suddenly ceased when referees announced off-setting penalties on the facemask and a block-in-the-back.

Marchetti said despite the play not counting, it motivated Somerville, allowing them to control the remainder of the game.

Somerville then drained the clock, running the ball 18 times on their next 19 plays. Desmond came up a yard short on a third Somerville touchdown as time expired.

“We wore [Boston Latin] down on the offensive line and they started to pack it in,” Marchetti said.

Marchetti said he awarded senior linemen Bobby Taylor and Joe Montiel the game balls for their work in the trenches all night.

Somerville began 2-0 two years ago in 2006, but lost their third game to Everett 48-0. The team now looks get off to its best start in over seven years Friday when they host Malden Catholic High School (7 p.m., Dilboy Stadium). Malden Catholic dropped its second straight game Saturday, losing 25-21 to Winchester High School.

“I feel like we can actually do some big things this year,” Vazquez-Guerra said. “Everyone’s working together and playing as a team.”