Falcons Electrify in Fourth Quarter, Winning Opener

The season opening game between and Winthrop was delayed an hour and ten minutes because the referees were late to the field. Despite the delay, both teams came out of the gate charged and ready to go. Winthrop had the ball first and executed right away.

Coming out first, Winthrop showed off their option offense, with mostly running plays mixed in with very few passing plays. Senior Running Backs Mitchell Paulson and Philip Locigno led the charge all the way down the field. The drive ultimately ended with Winthrop’s captain, James Barker, running it in on a quarterback sneak. After giving up the two point conversion, Danvers High was quickly down 8-0.

After losing to Winthrop last season 41-25, Danvers hoped this was not the start to a long night. On Danvers’ first possession, they would charge all the way to Winthrop’s 12 yard line. Their offense was more balanced showing a run game led by Nick and Alex Valles, and a pass game by captain Paul Nicolo. Unfortunately for the Falcons, they would go for it on fourth and long, and end up losing the ball on downs.

Throughout the rest of the game, Danvers would step up in a major way--defense. The defense did not give up another point the entire game, solving the tricky and smooth option type offense. A major problem though, was that the offense barely saw Winthrop’s side of the field. The Vikings defense was proving just as strong. There is always that saying in sports though, “that’s why they play the entire game.”

With just under 10 minutes to go in the game, Winthrop had the ball and was starting to use the clock. After a few running plays, Winthrop called a pass play, which they will probably regret for the rest of the week. Barker ran a play action pass, which landed in the hands of Nick Valles. Valles would run the interception all the way back for Danvers first score of the season. After Nicolo ran in the extra point, Danvers had tied the game 8-8.

The tides had turned, and all momentum stood with the away team. Winthrop would follow suit, and be stopped by the mighty Falcons defense. After a good drive, and a long run by Nick Valles, Danvers was able to kick a field goal with less than five minutes to go, to give Danvers their first lead of the game at 11-8. The wind had come out of Winthrop’s sail as they fumbled right off the start of the next possession. Nick Valles would ultimately run another touchdown in and extend the Falcons' lead to 18-8, which would be the final score.

Danvers defeated Winthrop in a rivalry which started over 60 years ago in the original Northeastern Conference.

Danvers High School will be visiting Peabody next Friday night to try and start their season 2-0.